Partisan split from panel on $85 million Maine bond proposal

February 14, 2001 The Appropriations Committee in the Maine legislature split along party lines, with Democrats supporting an $85-million bond package over Republican objections, the Kennebec Journal reports. Just one week after the same committee voted in a unanimous, bipartisan way to approve a supplemental budget, the committee was unable to agree on an acceptable level of borrowing to put before voters in June.

The vote was 8-5 for a
Democratic bond package that includes nearly $70 million for roads and railroads;
$5.2 million for water and wastewater projects; $5 million for a York County
dental clinic and rural dental care; and $5 million for wind projects.

In addition to funding
for road work, the transportation bonds would pay for the purchase of the Montreal,
Maine and Atlantic Railway, which has more than 200 miles of track in Aroostook
County. The current owner is planning to abandon the track, which is used by
more than 20 businesses.

Also, the bond includes
$7 million in funds for the Ocean Gateway Deep Water Pier in Portland, which
would allow for the creation of a deep-water cruise ship berth.

House Chairwoman Emily
Cain, D-Orono, said Democrats view these bonds as an opportunity to create
jobs.

"It’s a matter of
making an investment at a time when we can create additional jobs," she
said.

On the other side, Rep.
Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, said Republicans couldn’t support any additional
borrowing at this time.

"The Republican
caucus members are not going to be in a position to support additional borrowing
in June or November," he said. "There are worthy projects on the
list, but we remain extremely concerned with the capacity of the state to
handle ongoing (budget) concerns."

Bonds will need
two-thirds support on final passage.

That means at least a handful
of Republicans would need to cross party lines for the bill to pass. Some
Republicans may support a package, especially if it includes money for the
Aroostook County railroad.

Lawmakers are trying to
abide by a timetable set by legislative leaders who want to conclude all
business for the session no later than April 7.