Sen. Pierce introduces bond bill to invest in University of Maine System infrastructure, strengthen Maine’s economic future
AUGUSTA — On April 17, 2025, Senate Majority Leader Teresa S. Pierce, D-Falmouth, introduced a bill to authorize a $100 million general obligation bond to improve infrastructure across all University of Maine System (UMS) campuses, with a focus on enhancing student education and economic and workforce development. LD 1014, “An Act to Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue to Develop Maine Talent and Innovation by Improving the Infrastructure of the University of Maine System,” was the subject of a public hearing before the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
“The Legislature has not passed a bond for what are now much-needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades since 2018. The cost of that is further deterioration of mission-critical facilities needed to foster modern workforce development and research and keep Maine economically competitive,” said Sen. Pierce. “We can invest now, or we can pay more later in lost opportunity for our students and hits to our economy. As a longtime member of the Education Committee and former Appropriations Committee chair, I know this proposed investment will have a profound, immediate and lasting impact that will benefit communities across Maine.”
In 2018, 54% of Maine voters approved a $49 million bond to improve aging infrastructure and address workforce shortages. This bond has led to the University of Maine’s flagship Orono campus securing a top-tier R1 research designation and producing cutting-edge research and innovation in collaboration with the public and private sectors.
“We [UMS] have not had a General Obligation bond since the Patriots last won the Super Bowl, Cooper Flagg was 11 years old, and I was a member of this esteemed Committee,” said UMS Board of Trustees Member and former Republican state senator Roger Katz in testimony to the committee. “We [UMS] hope to use funds from a bond issue on targeted demolition, modernizing UMaine’s research facilities to sustain our R1 status and increase our positive impact on Maine’s innovation economy, deferred maintenance at other campuses to improve recruitment and retention, and ensure those community cornerstones are meeting local needs. As we think about our current workforce and economy, and our children and grandchildren, our public universities have never been more important.”
“I work at UMaine and am a parent of a first year student at UMaine. I know that we need resources to upgrade our campus buildings and infrastructure to attract future students, faculty, and staff to live, work, and learn on campus,” said Lisa Neuman of Greenfield Township in written testimony to the committee. “UMaine is very important to our economic future as Mainers, and I wholeheartedly support this investment.”
LD 1014 faces further action in the Appropriations Committee.
