Sen. Lawrence votes to send investments in Transportation to Maine voters for approval

Posted: August 26, 2019 | Uncategorized

AUGUSTA —Sen. Mark W. Lawrence, D-Eliot, joined colleagues in the Legislature to send one of four bond proposals to Maine voters for their approval this November. This proposal includes critical investment in Maine’s roads and bridges. The vote was a unanimous 32-0 in the Senate and 127-8 in the House of Representatives.

Unfortunately, Republican lawmakers prevented Maine voters from getting a chance to decide on investments in state parks and working waterfronts, career and technical education and National Guard facilities, and low-interest loans to curb energy costs and promote efficiency.

“It is disappointing to see this be the outcome for the special session,” said Sen. Lawrence. “I hope our Republican colleagues realize how their decision to only support one out of four bonds hurts Mainers, especially bonds that would invest in Land for Maine’s Future Fund to protect our public lands, and access to broadband internet that is a necessity in this day and age.”

The bond that Maine voters will consider invests $105 million in transportation projects.These funds will support repairs, upgrades and routine maintenance for Maine highways, bridges, culverts and working waterfronts. It will also contribute to good-paying jobs in the construction industry. Several reports indicate that construction workers are standing by and ready to do this work so Mainers can safely go to school, work, and about their daily lives. 

This bond will now appear before all Maine voters on the ballot in November.