Some time next month, workers will place a piece of track along the once-abandoned Mountain Division rail line in South Windham, completing a section that begins in Portland. They will then walk away from the project. When they’ll return is anyone’s guess.
The revitalization of the rail route, which supporters hope will some day stretch to Fryeburg, providing better access to coastal markets for Western Maine businesses, is being funding by state bonds. The $4 million being used for the Westbrook-to-Windham section now under construction was approved as part of a bond package on the June 2010 ballot, and during the last Legislative session, Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Windham, sought the $21 million needed to finish the line.
But for the first time in years, there will be no bond questions before Maine voters, as Gov. Paul LePage and fellow Republicans in the Legislature put into motion a plan they say is necessary to lighten the debt load of state government.
It is not only the rail project that is being impacted by the decision. According to the Bangor Daily News, the popular Land for Maine’s Future program, which is funded through bonds and has helped protect more than 530,000 acres in Maine through the last 20-plus years, will spend its last $9.25 million this year. Without a bond to replenish the fund, the program will likely have to wait a year or two for funding. Also, the lack of bonding translates to reduced state spending on road and bridge improvements, which will either be scaled back or eliminated altogether.
A one-year hiatus in bonding does put any projects relying on that funding behind, but it is far from catastrophic. However, if the ban on bonding stretches through 2012 – as LePage has suggested – it could mean real problems for Maine’s future planning and transportation infrastructure. As it is, bond funding will likely not be available at the earliest until the summer construction season of 2013.
Republicans argue that now is not the time for borrowing, even as evidence suggests the borrowing would do nothing to harm the state’s financial standing. In addition, a responsible level of bonding provides funding for worthwhile and forward-thinking projects now that, if put off, would only cost more in the future. Bonding also leverages additional federal funds, further lowering costs.
Some legislators support a small bond package next year, and it is expected that the issue will come up when the Legislature convenes for a special session later this year. But it could easily fall victim to the 2012 election season. Government spending is a strong wedge issue for Republicans right now, and voters upset at government in general tend to lump all public spending together, whether it is necessary or frivolous.
Legislative leaders should resist this urge to play politics with the state’s infrastructure, and should get Maine back on track with a bond package as soon as possible.
Ben Bragdon is the managing editor of Current Publishing. He can be reached at bbragdon@keepmecurrent.com or followed on Twitter.
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