Bonds for Maine’s Future
From the Maine Senate
This November, Mainers will have the opportunity to consider several important ballot issues, including six crucial bond questions regarding the future of our great state. In the Leg-islature, we approved this $50 million bond package to keep good jobs in Maine, improve our existing infrastructure, and boost our local economy. I hope you take time out of your busy schedule to vote on these critical issues.
The first bond question, Question 2 asks voters to support an $8 million bond for a lab at the University of Maine. This new diagnostic lab will monitor human health threats by studying ticks, mosquitoes and bedbugs for diseases, such as Lyme Disease. According to the National Center for Disease Control, Lyme Disease is a serious issue facing Mainers. Last year alone, Maine had over 1000 confirmed cases of Lyme Disease. This bond would help fight Lyme Disease and promote job growth in natural resource-based industries.
As a small business state, small businesses are imperative to driving our local economy and creating good-paying jobs. Question 3 proposes a $12 million bond to aid small businesses in Maine. This bond would provide funding to the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) to help small businesses grow and strengthen our rural economy.
The next two bond questions, Question 4 and 5 would provide crucial funding for biomedical research in Maine. Question 4 proposes a $10 million bond that would be matched by $11 million in private funds to study genetic solutions for critical diseases that affect many of our loved ones, such as Cancer and Alzheimer’s. This funding would bring us closer to scientific breakthroughs and create more STEM jobs in Maine.
Question 5 asks voters to consider a $3 million dollar bond, matched by $5.7 million in private and public funding to update and repair an existing biological laboratory in Maine. I had the opportunity to tour the Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory and was amazed at all the imperative regenerative and neurological research the folks there are doing. We have all witnessed what Alzheimer’s and dementia has done to our families and loved ones. Mt. Desert Island Biological Lab is already doing great work but needs essential updates to continue their success. We simply cannot afford to reject this bond. In my twelve years of Legislative service, I haven’t seen a bond that has more of an ability to change people’s lives than this.
The next bond question addresses needed improvements to Maine’s drinking water and measures to preserve our rich natural resources. Question 6 proposes a $10 million bond to protect our drinking water sources, restore wetlands and upgrade Maine’s wastewater infrastructure.
Lastly, Question 7 aims to improve Maine’s marine economy, by keeping more marine-based jobs in Maine. Maine has a rich tradition of a marine-based economy and Question 7 asks voters to approve a $7 million bond, matched by $7 million in private funds, to promote marine businesses and commercial enterprises as well as create jobs through capital investments. From forestry and logging to marine industries, it is imperative to keep processing jobs in Maine.
Absentee ballots are available until Thursday, Oct. 30, for those choosing to vote by this method. After that, absentee ballots will be given out only if the voter meets one of several special circumstances, such as illness. You can request an absentee ballot at http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl.
You can find your polling location online at http://www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/lookup_voter_info. You can also find it by calling your Town Office, Clerk or the Secretary of State at: (207) 684-7736.
I hope you will vote on Nov. 4 – every vote matters.
Sen. Troy Jackson (D-Allagash is majority leader of the Maine Senate. He can be reached at either 398-4081 (home) or 436-0763 (cell), or via email at SenTroy.Jackson@legislature.maine.gov.
