Sens. Deschambault and Chenette vote to send investments in Transportation to Maine voters for approval

AUGUSTA —Sen. Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford and Sen. Justin Chenette, D-Saco, joined colleagues in the Legislature to send one of the 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.

“Our economy will be hurt from the actions of Republican lawmakers, whether from a lack of broadband expansion or a lack of resources for land conservation used for outdoor recreation and farmland,” said Sen. Chenette. “I’m glad we could all agree to support transportation initiatives, but we need to start thinking about Maine’s future infrastructure and workforce needs now, not later. Remember, Republicans voted to block these measures.”

“It is disappointing that we were not able to get all the bonds to the ballot box during our special session,” said Sen. Deschambault. “I’m happy we have a transportation bond to send to the voters, but I will not forget that we still need to find ways to protect our working waterfronts, promote career and technical education in our communities and provide rural broadband.”

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.