Senate enacts bill to revive $6.5 million in voter-approved LMF bonds

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to give final approval to a bill that revives $6.5 million in voter-approved Land for Maine’s Future conservation bonds that were allowed to expire last year after the governor refused to sign them.

Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, the lead Senate Democrat on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee, said the vote will make the difference for four conservation projects in her district.

“These valuable conservation projects have waited a long time for funding that was promised, but needlessly delayed,” Sen. Breen said. “This vote will put them back on track, giving them the go-ahead to protect valuable natural resources in my community for generations.”

Sen. Breen thanked her colleagues in the Senate for supporting the bill, and also thanked the countless citizens of Maine who demanded the LMF bonds be issued and the conservation projects be allowed to move forward.

“Maine voters have spoken loudly and clearly with one voice to say these bonds must be issued,” Sen. Breen said. “They voted more than five years ago to authorize these projects, and they demanded, rightfully, that their decision be respected.”

The bill — LD 1454, “Resolve, Reauthorizing the Balance of the 2009 Bond Issue for Land Conservation Projects” — will be sent to Gov. Paul LePage. He has 10 days to sign the bill into law, veto it, or let it pass into law without his signature. The governor has previously indicated he would sign the LMF bonds if the Legislature revived them.

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