AUGUSTA (AP) – A bill to repeal Maine’s 2-year-old school-district consolidation law has been rejected in the House by a 72-70 roll call vote.

Representatives’ vote Wednesday sends the initiated measure to the Senate. Legislative rejection of the bill means the issue goes to voters in November.

A citizen initiative to repeal the law already has been filed with state election officials.

The Bangor Daily News says Wednesday’s vote followed a debate in which opponents said scrapping the law now would present problems for dozens of towns that have worked out consolidation plans with other administrative districts.

In a separate vote, the House strongly endorsed a bill to delay penalties against school districts that don’t comply with the consolidation law.

—

Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-06-04-09 0753EDT