AUGUSTA (AP) — Republican Gov. Paul LePage says issuing a $65 million bond isn’t the right approach to build more senior housing in Maine.

Advocates for Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves’ proposal met at the Statehouse Thursday to urge LePage and lawmakers to support the bond that would pay for a thousand units of energy-efficient senior housing in all 16 counties.

LePage said in a statement that he believes the state should “refocus existing resources” instead of taking out loans “at the expense of all Maine taxpayers.” He says that the Maine State Housing Authority can already issue bonds to pay for housing.

Eves said Thursday that his proposal has support from organizations across Maine. He says the bill will help seniors remain in their homes and also create construction and housing jobs.