Maine news, sports, weather | Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

STATE HOUSE

Another round of debate set for bond package

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
State House Bureau

AUGUSTA -- Lawmakers will return Monday to the State House for at least one more vote on bonds as Democrats make a final push to get support for an $85 million package of borrowing.

After passing the House by one vote, Senate Republicans held firm and the measure fell four votes short Wednesday of the supermajority needed for passage.

Rather then let the bill die, Senate Majority Leader Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham, tabled the bill just before 11 p.m. to give it one more chance. Lawmakers had expected to conclude all business this week.

"Our feeling was clearly things had broken down yesterday," Bartlett said. "We decided to take a few days and give people more time to really dig into this package and have more discussion."

The package includes nearly $70 million to pay for rail and highway improvements and the Ocean Gateway Deep Water Pier in Portland. There is $5 million for ocean wind energy sites, $5 million for water and waste-water improvements, and $5 million for a new dental clinic and to expand access to dental care across the state.

Borrowing $85 million is estimated to cost nearly $19 million in interest, bringing the total cost of borrowing to almost $104 million, according to the state's fiscal office.

If approved by the Legislature, all but $5 million of the bonds would go on the June 8 ballot for voter approval. The money for dental services would be on the November ballot.

Senate Republicans made it clear during the floor debate they think $85 million is too much to borrow, considering the state's current financial situation.

On Thursday, Assistant Senate Minority Leader Jonathan Courtney, R-Springvale, said Republicans came to the State House in the morning expecting to reopen negotiations.

But there were no Democratic leaders around, he said.

"They may end up with nothing at all because of their lack of willingness to have a discussion," he said. "We haven't walked away. We have just said no. We said we can't do the irresponsible package as proposed, but we really are willing to talk."

Bartlett said while he won't rule out possible changes to the package, it would be politically difficult to hold together the votes they do have if they begin pulling it apart.

A major part of the package is $17 million for the state to buy rail lines owned by the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway, which is planning to abandon more than 230 miles of track in Aroostook County.

Much of the debate in the House and Senate focused on this part of the package, which supporters say is vital to preserve jobs at the more than 20 companies who use the track to ship goods.

"We will lose that rail line at some point if somebody doesn't come to the table with money," said House Majority Leader John Piotti, D-Unity. "The money is going to have to come from the state of Maine, or we're going to lose that rail line."

But Republican leaders -- Courtney and House Minority Leader Josh Tardy, R-Newport -- have questioned the wisdom of having the state buy an already unprofitable section of track that needs millions in deferred maintenance.

And while that part of the package appeals to northern Maine lawmakers, there's $34.8 million for highway work throughout the state, $7 million for the Ocean Gateway Deep Water Pier in Portland, and also funds for a new dental clinic in southern Maine. There's funding for improvements to rail service in Lewiston-Auburn and the Mountain Division Railroad, also in southern Maine.

Because the package has something for all parts of the state, Bartlett said those who voted for it previously would reconsider their position if parts of the package were dismantled.

There's another political reality, as well. The House has already passed the bill -- as is -- on a 100-48 vote, just one vote more than needed for passage. The bill failed on the first enactment vote, but Rep. Ed Finch, D-Fairfield, and Rep. Michael Celli, R-Brewer, changed their votes to put it over the threshold.

If the bill is changed by the Senate, it would have to go back for another House vote, which may put it in jeopardy, Piotti said.

He said some Democrats will not be able to attend Monday's session because they thought all business would be wrapped up this week.

"Obviously, we're very concerned about the bond package," he said. "We want to see it happen. It's the right thing for Maine."

Susan Cover -- 620-7015

scover@centralmaine.com