Legislators deserve credit for their painstaking work toward closing a $310 million budget gap and balancing the state budget, and, yesterday, reaching a compromise on a bond proposal that will be presented to voters in June.
Now that lawmakers have accomplished the difficult job of sharply cutting the individual bond proposals, leaving a $57.8 million package, we hope few will be tempted to campaign against it.
The bond proposal includes $25 million for highway construction. This investment, leveraged with federal funds, will create jobs while sustaining the state’s road system. Budgeting for road repairs and improvements is sound policy, providing valuable public benefits and protecting investment in the transportation system.
Another $7 million will be combined with money from other sources for the potential acquisition of the tracks of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad for $17 million. The bond is the first step toward preserving this 240-mile line serving Aroostook County ”“ an irreplaceable economic asset.
Also included is $5 million for advanced equipment enabling the University of Maine to work toward establishing the state as a base for component manufacturing for the wind power industry. There is also $6.5 million for a deep-water pier in Portland.
Another $5 million would support establishment of a community-based teaching clinic for dental medicine. The University of New England’s proposed College of Dental Medicine would be eligible to apply for some of these funds. Plans also call for clinics around the state to address poor oral health among Mainers.
The total is considerably smaller than many hoped, but is widely regarded as a fair compromise for hard economic times. It includes a good investments in Maine jobs and the bottom line is one that the state can afford.
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