Once again, it seems that Republican leaders in the Maine Legislature think they know better than the citizens of Maine.

Rather than ask the voters to decide on whether to invest $40 million in land conservation, environmental and transportation projects, they blocked any such vote by refusing to negotiate over the governor’s proposed bond package.

This most recent bond package included many important projects for the Lewiston-Auburn area and for the state. It would have paid for pollution control projects in Lewiston, to upgrade public drinking water in Lisbon, and to preserve land along the Androscoggin River in Turner, among many other projects here and statewide.

It would have created 3,400 jobs, something Maine families need as soon as possible given the loss of so many manufacturing jobs in the last few years, and invested over $120 million in our economy – most of that in federal and private matching dollars that would never have to be repaid.

Now would have been a good time to bond. Rating agencies give Maine high marks for being fiscally conservative, for paying off its debts quickly and for maintaining our infrastructure. We have the second-lowest per capita debt levels in New England, and are well below the national average.

It is no wonder that especially in difficult economic times Maine voters consistently support bond packages. They are a great investment in the state and its people.

Too bad the people of Maine never got a chance to cast their votes.

Rep. Dick Mailhot, Lewiston, and Rep. Deb Simpson, Auburn

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