Governor Baldacci unveiled his bond proposals Monday, including $131 million for transportation. While it wasn't the $150-$200 million being advocated by the MBTA, it is a significant increase from his proposal two years ago. The public hearing for the transportation bond is scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, 8 a.m., Room 228 of the State House.

According to MBTA Executive Director Maria Fuentes: "The Governor's bond proposal for highways is nearly four times what he proposed two years ago, and we are grateful for that. However, the need is much greater than what is reflected in his package. The MaineDOT has cut $200 million in projects over the past year; this has been devastating to our transportation system and to the industry that supports it. We need more funding in order to address these critical needs."
 
We need to continue working together toward a strong transportation bond and to find a long-term solution to the funding crisis. "The Governor's bond is an important first step, but much more needs to be done," said MBTA President Scott Leach, "We need more bonding in this two-year cycle, but we also need more funding now in the Highway Fund to deal with the current cash flow crisis at MaineDOT. We are anxious to work with the Republicans and Democrats in both houses to develop a package that better fits the needs of our short-term requirements. We are also eager to work with them to develop a long-term, sustainable funding solution that is critical to our safety and economic well-being."

 

Please contact the Governor’s office and thank him for understanding the problem by stepping up his commitment to transportation: by e-mail (governor@maine.gov), phone (287-3531) or fax (287-1034).

 

Last week, the Senate Minority Office issued a press release discussing their proposal for a $180 million transportation bond to go out in June, along with a $20 million water quality bond. Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston, of Montville, emphasized the importance of developing a substantial infrastructure bond package before other bond proposals. Others have spoken about staging the bonds, with a large bond in June of 2007, and another bond in 2008. Please contact the Senate Republicans and thank them for making the transportation bond their highest priority. "Legislators, contractors, business owners and citizens are all in agreement that we are in the midst of a public infrastructure crisis," she said. "Republicans will not allow necessary infrastructure bonding to take a back seat to negotiations over a laundry list of secondary bond proposals."

To thank Senator Weston, e-mail her at cweston@pivot.net. Senator Richard Rosen's e-mail address is rrosen113@aol.com. You also can contact any member of the Senate Republican caucus by calling them at 287-1505 or by fax at 287-1527.  Also, special thanks to Senator Christine Savage, past Senate Chair of Transportation, who is a steadfast supporter of transportation investment and has worked closely with her caucus to ensure they understand the crushing needs. You may contact Senator Savage by phone, 287-1505 or 785-4632, by fax 287-1527, or e-mail, csavage@midcoast.com.

• Out of a total bond proposal of $397 million, transportation and R&D garnered the lion's share of the Governor's support (he is asking for $131 million for both, as well as $97.4 million for conservation and the environment and $33 million for higher education). However, MaineDOT's portion is a two-year commitment, while R&D and the other bond components are three-year bonds.

• While the bulk of the transportation request ($100 million) is for highways and bridges, there was also strong support for a broad range of transportation investments: $16.82 million for Passenger and Freight Rail systems; $3.48 million for Port and Ferry improvements; $5.65 million for Transit, Intermodal and Park & Ride; $3.4 million for Aviation; $1.75 million for Trails, Pedestrian & Bicycle projects.

• The transportation package leverages $244.18 million in federal funding and an additional $28.6 million in local/private funding. The Governor said he wishes to send the transportation bond out in June.

To read more about the Governor's bond package, visit the MBTA advocacy page.
Many thanks to so many of you who contacted the Governor's office to voice your concerns. Your efforts have helped us secure a good starting point in the upcoming bond discussions as we work to bump the number up.

Having the Governor's package out is important, but we must work to increase the bonding level and acquire more funding for transportation as the bond moves now to the Legislature. 

Thanks, again, to the many MBTA members and friends who have given of your time and energy to work with the legislative leadership and communicate with the Governor's office about the bond. Your commitment and hardwork is getting our voices heard!