STATE LEADERS STRIKE DEAL ON BONDS

  Legislature will vote on $149.5 million comprehensive jobs bond for November ballot

AUGUSTA — Speaker of the House Mark Eves and Senate President Justin Alfond on Fridayannounced that they had reached a deal with Governor Paul LePage on a comprehensive $149.5 million jobs bond. The investment package will inject critical funds into Maine’s roads, bridges and ports, and into upgrades at the state’s higher education facilities and armories.

“We are pleased to be able forge a comprehensive deal that will provide broad infrastructure investments and inject long overdue funds into our state’s economy,” said Speaker Eves of North Berwick. “Democrats fought hard for bonds that will help stimulate our economy now and in the future.”

The jobs bond proposal includes $100 million for investment in roads, bridges, ports and working waterfronts;  $35.5 million for upgrades to higher education facilities; $14 million for armory maintenance and renovations. Lawmakers are expected to reconvene to vote on the proposal in time to get the bond on the November ballot.

“We heard from the business community that Maine’s infrastructure and education systems must remain competitive. This bond prepares our workforce for the jobs of the future and  gets people back to work,” said President Alfond of Portland. “It’s time to see more hardhats working on our schools, roads, and bridges.”

Democrats pushed hard for further investment in research and development and for land conservation programs, but the Governor and Republicans were unwilling to include those in a package for voters to approve this November.  Democrats were able to secure a commitment from the Governor and Republicans to take up a research and development bond in January. The bond will emphasize bridging the gap between the laboratory and the marketplace.

Earlier this week economists, experts, and industry leaders told the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee that now was the time for strong investment given low interest rates and enormous need to upgrade roads and bridges and infrastructure at the University, community colleges, and at the armories across Maine.

A number of other higher education officials spoke, including Maine Maritime Academy’s President Dr. William J. Brennan, and Gary Crocker from Maine’s Community College System.

Crocker noted, “a bond for community colleges is a triple win for Maine: Our graduates will be put to work as carpenters, welders, plumbers, and electricians; it will renovate existing facilities and construct new space needed to help meet the unmet demand for skilled workers and give us the critical classroom space to enroll an additional 2,400 students; and, by having these facilities we can meet the demand for skilled workers of the future, in turn providing qualified graduates to fill job openings resulting from retirements.”

University of Maine officials told the committee that 70 percent of the university space has a renovation age of more than 25 years.

The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee will reconvene to vote on the bond package to recommend to the full Legislature.

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