Several years ago a hot topic politically was whether the president of the United States should have a line-item veto on legislation passed by Congress. Since many state governors could veto parts of bills and approve only what they considered cost effective, the line-item veto seemed like a good way to cut wasteful federal spending.

Until the June 10 referendum election, Maine voters have had the equivalent of the line-item veto on bond issues. Only items that were truly related were combined into one “yes or no” vote.

This referendum election lists 12 separate bond issues but we are allowed only one vote for the entire list. It’s all or nothing.

Television ads call this a “jobs bill,” but Maine voters have already rejected some of these items when they were listed separately in previous elections.

According to the sample ballot, “Total estimated lifetime cost is $74,850,000 representing $60,000,000 in principal and $14,850,000 in interest (assuming interest at 4.50 percent over 10 years).”

Television ads say the state will receive $7 for every research dollar we approve. Only four of these 12 issues include the phrase “in anticipation of…federal and private funding” for additional amounts. This is not guaranteed money.

I have never before rejected every bond issue in a referendum, but this year I will reject them all.

We must tell the Legislature that we will accept nothing until we again have the right to choose.

Frances R. Lodge, Minot

Copy the Story Link