Bonds key to investing in Maine

The Legislature is in full swing in Augusta. As the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, my colleagues and I have been working overtime, including weekends, to forge a compromise on the final details of the state’s two-year budget. Funding through the budget is needed on an ongoing basis for core state services such as education, health care, public safety, and environmental protection, but the state also has the ability to make one-time investments through voter-approved bonds.
    Within the next few weeks, the Appropriations Committee will turn its attention to a bond package that includes investments to help ensure the future prosperity of the state. To win the necessary two-thirds support in the Legislature, the package must be broad-based. Priorities include funding for necessary repairs to roads and bridges, conserving land, renovating buildings at the university and community colleges, upgrading sewer and drinking water projects, and giving one-time grants to research and development projects that create jobs here in our state.
After the budget, preparing a bond package is the most important task my committee will tackle this session. Bonds play a major role in laying the foundation for social and economic prosperity in our state. A broad-based bond package, like the one we expect to consider this year, is the key to building a solid foundation for the future and improving our state’s economy.
The Appropriations Committee needs to make its recommendation on the bond package in time for the Legislature as a whole to take a vote in early April. An early April approval by the Legislature will allow voters to consider portions of the bond package on this year’s June ballot. If the bonds are approved in June, projects such as essential road and bridge improvements and sewer and water upgrades can begin during this summer’s construction season.
Just as we must move ahead on transportation and other infrastructure improvements immediately, we must also move ahead by creating jobs and building economic opportunity through investments in research and development and building improvements at Maine’s universities and community colleges. Under our current timeline, bonds to accomplish these purposes will be sent to voters for their consideration on the November ballot.
Maine people have long recognized the value of bonds and have showed their commitment to investing in our future with their votes of support. It is my hope that the Legislature will act expeditiously and give voters the opportunity to continue essential investments in Maine’s economy and infrastructure during both the June and November elections.
Rep. Fischer can be reached by phone (551-3097), by mail (6C Third St., Presque Isle, Maine 04769), or by e-mail (RepJeremy.Fischer@legislature.maine.gov).