Expectations for voter turnout Tuesday during the state’s off-year election are low. Maybe 40 percent of registered voters will do their duty. More should.

The state must answer seven serious questions. The first is a people’s veto attempt against a new anti-discrimination law. The next five questions ask voters whether they support $83 million in bonds for investment in roads, the environment, land conservation, higher education, jobs and research and development. The final question would amend Maine’s constitution in an attempt to protect the state’s working waterfronts.

No’ on 1

On Question 1, the Sun Journal strongly urges a no vote on the people’s veto. The law, passed with bipartisan support in the Legislature and signed by Gov. Baldacci, would add sexual orientation to the Maine Human Rights Act. Wrongly portrayed by its opponents as special rights or the first step in legalizing same-sex marriage, the law only guarantees that a person cannot be discriminated against in the areas of housing, employment, public accommodations and the extension of credit. Before this law, it was perfectly legal to fire people because they were gay or to deny them housing. Such discrimination must not be tolerated.

Question 1 is not about special rights. The new law applies to heterosexuals as well as homosexuals, and it does not protect gays and lesbians from being fired for cause. The burden of proof in any Human Rights Act complaint rests with the accuser. The anti-discrimination law is about fairness and protecting basic human dignity. The law should stand; the people’s veto should fail.

Yes’ on bonds

Question 2 would allow $33.1 million in borrowing to improve the state’s transportation system, including highways, bridges, airports and harbors. The bond will capture an additional $158 million in matching funds. Maine’s network of roads and bridges need substantial reinvestment.

Question 3 would authorize $8.9 million for sustainable water sources and irrigation systems, and would provide loans and grants for wastewater and public water system improvements. The money would attract $31 million in federal funds.

Question 4 is a $20 million economic development bond. But that description doesn’t do it justice. The bond would attract about $44 million in federal and private funding for research and development, new business investment and worker training. Lewiston-Auburn College stands to receive $2 million from the bond for a new Educational Change Center.

Question 5 would provide $12 million in funding for the Land for Maine’s Future program. This program is almost universally applauded, but without the bond it will be essentially broke. LMF started in 1987 with a $35 million bond and was refunded in 1999 with a $50 million bond. The money has been put to good use. More than 139,000 acres have been acquired from willing sellers, and another 53,500 acres have been protected with conservation easements. About 2,700 acres have been protected in Androscoggin County alone, with more in the works.

Question 6 would provide a $9 million investment in Maine’s higher education system. Because it comes last on the list of questions, it might present a tempting target for voters looking to vote against something. That would be a mistake. College and universities help build the educated work force employers need. Specifically, the bond would renovate facilities at CMCC to accommodate a fast-growing student population and to upgrade its technology. It would direct $2 million for a new Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine and provide $850,000 for the University of Maine at Farmington to renovate Preble and Ricker halls. Further, the bond is essential in attracting $4 million from private foundations.

The bonds deserve support.

Yes’ on 7

Question 7 is a constitutional amendment that would allow towns to assess the value of working waterfront property based upon its current use rather than on its market value. Maine’s constitution requires that all property be assessed based on its market value, with two exceptions. Earlier amendments have allowed timberland and farm and open space to be taxed on current use.

Like open space, farmland and timberland around many of Maine’s pristine bodies of water, coastal land is increasing in value at a pace that makes it nearly impossible to continue traditional uses. Market-value assessments are pushing the owners of wharfs and other working waterfront properties to sell out. Question 7 would give local governments the power to protect traditional working waterfronts and the jobs they support.

All Mainers benefit from keeping space along the coast available for fishing and other commercial pursuits. A “yes” vote on Question 7 will help protect a valuable resource.