Governor Urges Support for Investment Package

Press Release

Governor Urges Support for Investment Package

With only one week to go before the June 10 election, Governor John E. Baldacci today spoke of the importance of Question 1 on the ballot.

The question will ask voters to approve a $29,725,000 bond issue for transportation and environmental projects. If approved, the bond will leverage an additional $29,780,000 in other funds.

"Maine voters have an important opportunity to invest in the State's economy, in safe roads and bridges, and in important environmental projects," Governor Baldacci said. "Smart investments pay off now by creating jobs, and they pay off later when we see the lasting economic impact of better roads, improved passenger and freight rail service, increased mass transit and a cleaner environment."

Question 1 reads, "Do you favor a $29,725,000 bond issue for natural resource, agricultural and transportation infrastructure that will leverage $29,780,000 in other funds?" If approved, the state would issue $29,725,000 in general obligation bonds that would fund projects throughout the state.

The bond would provide $23,025,000 for transportation purposes and these funds would be administered by the Maine Department of Transportation. Of that amount, $10 million would leverage $16 million in matching federal funds that would be used for highways and bridges.

The remaining $13,025,000 would be used for multimodal improvements to the State's rail system that serves both passenger and freight, fund bus purchases for existing passenger service systems, provide funding for improved safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, provide money for port and ferry facility improvements, and provide funding for infrastructure improvements to the State's publicly owned airports.

"This bond will help fund critically needed repairs to Maine's roads and bridges," said David Cole, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation. "This bond also invests significantly in alternate modes of transportation, and with gas prices nearing $4 a gallon, it is a timely investment for Maine people."

The bond also would provide $4.4 million in funds to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to help communities deal with failing septic systems, clean up hazardous waste sites that threaten public health and water quality, clean up abandoned landfills and modernize air-quality monitoring equipment.

"This bond issue includes infrastructure investments that are important to protect the environment and Mainers' public health," said David Littell, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection. "Funds will be used to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites and landfills across our state, assist communities with replacement of the worst failing septic systems which discharge untreated sewage, and to provide needed monitoring of our air quality. The environmental investments in this bond issue will benefit Maine's environment for many generations to come."

The remaining $2.3 million would be administered by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to upgrade wastewater treatment systems at the state's fish hatcheries and to repair several IFW-owned dams that regulate water flow and protect waterfowl and other wildlife habitats.

"The passage of this bond will provide a great opportunity to renovate some of our facilities that are not currently meeting state water quality standards," said Roland "Dan" Martin, Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. "It is imperative that we give our support to upgrade our fish hatcheries and ensure the continuation of our fish stocking programs at current or improved levels. Also, a portion of the funds will be used to repair dams that have been damaged by weather, thus protecting valuable waterfowl and wildlife habitats. It is these habitats that we Mainers view as one of our most treasured natural resources."

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