There are three bond questions on the November ballot. Voters should support all three.

The first, Question 4, is an environmental bond that will provide $6.95 million for pollution control efforts. If the bond is approved, the state will qualify for more than $14 million in matching federal funds to construct and upgrade water pollution control facilities. The bond also will provide much-needed funds for cleaning up hazardous waste, help reduce the amount of waste that is discharged in shellfish areas and construct environmentally sound water sources that will help protect crops from drought damage.

A yes vote on Question 4 is a vote for cleaner water.

On Question 5, voters are asked to OK $19 million to make repairs, upgrades and other facilities improvements at the state’s universities, colleges and community colleges.

Benefits from the bond are spread across the higher education system, but L-A College and Central Maine Community College receive particular attention. About $2 million will go to L-A College for expansion of the nursing program and to expand laboratories. The college added a nursing program just four years ago, but already there are more than 120 students training for a medical career. The exceptional growth has placed a high demand on openings in the program and without facilities expansion, students will be turned away.

Maine’s community college system will receive $12 million for repairs, upgrades and expansion. More than 47,000 students enrolled in the state’s community colleges this fall – a record. To meet that growth, an investment is needed in the system’s infrastructure. At Central Maine Community College, $1.5 million will be used to convert storage space into a modern laboratory facility, to expand several technical programs and to add more classroom space.

The Lewiston-Auburn area is one of the biggest winners if Question 5 passes. Both L-A College and CMCC serve many nontraditional students and help to create the educated workforce that is necessary for the region to attract and keep quality employers. Support for Question 5 will show the state’s commitment to improved and expanded higher education opportunities.

Question 6 is by far the largest bond issue. It seeks more than $63 million for transportation. After this state investment in infrastructure, Maine would qualify for $217 million in federal matching funds. This bond is essential for maintaining our highways, bridges, ports and railroads. If voters reject this question, the federal money will be lost, and much-needed repairs will be unnecessarily delayed.

There are two types of debt. With the first, money is borrowed and must be repaid. The second, more dangerous, kind is the debt of deterioration – previous investments are allowed to lose their value.

If we fail to support these bonds, we allow that deterioration to continue.

We shouldn’t miss this opportunity to reduce our infrastructure deficit. Support Questions 4, 5 and 6.
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