AUGUSTA (AP) – After balking at first, Maine legislative leaders on Wednesday released details of an $83 million bond issue package that was negotiated earlier by majority Democrats and Republicans.
The biggest portions of the borrowing package that would go out to voters in November include $20 million for a jobs bond and $34 million for transportation.
The package also includes $9 million for education, $10 million for land conservation and $10 million for clean water, environment and health projects.
Democratic and Republican leaders refused to make the numbers public earlier this week, saying they wanted to share them with their respective members first at meetings next Monday.
Numbers based on information from lawmakers, lobbyists and Baldacci administration officials were reported by The Associated Press after leaders held back on releasing them.
After figures approximating those agreed to by negotiators were reported, leaders decided to disclose the official numbers in a memo to all House and Senate members and to the media.
Leaders also said Wednesday that the full Legislature is to convene July 29 to vote on the package.
Super majorities of two-thirds in the House and Senate are needed to passing a bond package to put before voters, so some level of bipartisan cooperation would be needed when lawmakers convene.
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