It is important to note the difference between the bond package that the Legislature voted on and approved on July 29 of $83 million, and the $450 million borrowing package the governor originally contrived. This bond proposal represents investments in Maine’s future. In November, voters will have the opportunity to determine which segments to support.

There are five components to the $83 million bond: Transportation ($33.1 million); economic development ($20 million); education ($9 million); environmental ($8.9 million); and Land For Maine’s Future ($12 million). These bonds deserve more scrutiny from the voters. They will have an opportunity to vote on each component, while the Legislature was required to vote yea or nay on the entire package. While those may seem like paltry amounts to some, still others would prefer no bonds at all.

Is this bond package perfect? No. This package represents the spirit of compromise that was prevalent during the 122nd Legislature. Often the Appropriations Committee would split down party lines. This time the Republicans asserted a great deal of control over the bond process. Democrats understood that too large a package would not get the Republican support necessary to achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass. In the end, we passed a bond package that no one was completely satisfied with, and nearly all agreed to. That is true compromise.

It is up to each voter now to do his or her homework and decide to bond, or not to bond.

Sen. Lois Snowe-Mello, District 15, Poland

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