Due to the obstructionist tactics of a few Republicans bent on toeing a rigid party line, the state of Maine suffered almost $80 million worth of lost opportunities. Over 3,000 jobs that won’t be available to Maine workers, $9 million that won’t be available for the Waldo-Hancock bridge costs, $11 million unavailable to improve Maine’s water quality, $20 million lost to Land for Maine’s Future.

Gov. Baldacci and the Democratic members of the state Appropriations Committee put forth what should have been a good faith effort, paring down an initial bonds package of $120 million to $55 million. After assurances from Republican leadership that a $40 million package would likely be supported, a further $10 million reduction was made, only to be rejected by three out of four Republican committee members, all in the name of “fiscal responsibility” and a nod to the hot topic of tax relief.

While property tax relief is high on the legislative and popular agendas, this bonds package, with its $78 million in matching federal funds, should not be held hostage by a misguided tax cap. Turning our backs on available resources and pretending much needed projects and jobs are superfluous and unnecessary is neither fiscally responsible nor prudent. It is, instead, a foolish waste born out of short-sighted partisan politics. And we, the people, are the ones who suffer.

Election day is seven weeks away. I urge everyone to make good use of this right and responsibility.

Dana Rickman, Durham