GOV RENEGES ON BONDS; WHICH PROJECTS LOSE OUT?

Leaders ask for detailed list to determine impact on state’s economy, jobs

AUGUSTA— In a letter to the state’s top budget officer, Democratic leaders urged the administration to make public a list of shovel-ready projects and jobs that will lose out as result of Governor Paul LePage reneging on statewide jobs bond contracts.

The letter (see attached) comes in response to a press conference held by Governor LePage today where he doubled down on his threat to hold jobs hostage by reneging on bond investments he gave the go-ahead to last July.

“The people of Maine expect a governor who is going to lead–not jump from crisis to crisis. And unfortunately, this time, there are real consequences to the governor’s volatility,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland. “Reneging on jobs and projects that are shovel-ready hurts Maine businesses, workers and our economy.”
More than $30 million in bonds have been authorized by the Governor already, while millions are still waiting to be released.

“Governor LePage is holding up economic investment at a time when Maine has the worst private sector job growth in the country,” said Speaker of the House Mark Eves of North Berwick. “His political hostage-taking will have an impact on jobs, on our roads, on shovel ready projects across the state.”

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