Senate votes unanimously to revive Land for Maine's Future bonds

Sen. Breen hails ‘proud moment’ for Maine Senate

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate on Thursday voted unanimously to reauthorize $6.5 million in voter-approved conservation bonds that will fund Land for Maine’s Future projects across the state. The Senate vote followed a unanimous vote in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The bonds were approved at the ballot box in 2010, but were allowed to expire last year after Gov. Paul LePage refused to issue them, a move that jeopardized efforts to protect farmlands, forests, wildlife habitat and working waterfronts in Maine.

“The people of Maine have spoken loudly and clearly — first when they approved these bonds at the ballot box, and again when they told Gov. LePage that he must honor their will and let these conservation projects move forward,” said Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, the lead Senate Democrat on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

“Voting today to bring these deserving projects back to life was one of my proudest moments in the Maine Senate,” Sen. Breen said.

Gov. LePage has indicated that if the bonds are revived, he will issue them.

The bill, LD 1454, still faces final procedural votes in the House and Senate.

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