Bond measures pass, Blaine House hopefuls in place
While the hum of this year's statewide and local elections has ceased, votes last Tuesday set in motion a part of the financing for a range of projects around the state. Meanwhile, the field for the governor's race has confirmation from its three leading contenders.
Bonds sail on
Voters approved five bond measures last week, permitting the state to take out nearly $150 million to address construction, repair and maintenance projects around the state. The largest bond will allow the state to take out $100 million for transportation projects, including improvements to roads and bridges and an infrastructure upgrade to the International Marine Terminal in Portland. Voters also approved borrowing $15.5 million for projects statewide at the University of Maine System, $15.5 million for projects at the Maine Community College System, $14 million for repairs and upgrades to the Maine Army National Guard facilities and $4.5 million for a new science facility at the Maine Maritime Academy.
Stage set
Republican Gov. Paul LePage officially announced his candidacy for re-election, solidifying a three-way race with Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud and second-time Independent challenger Eliot Cutler. During the campaign kickoff, LePage touted his achievements to pay down the state's Medicaid debt and reduce the state's unfunded pension liabilities. The event came one day after Michaud announced in a Bangor Daily News op-ed that he is gay, which he said came in response to a “whisper campaign” by political opponents.
Tax dip
The state's unemployment insurance tax is set to drop next year, which the state's Department of Labor said will save businesses a cumulative $30 million. The DOL reported an employer paying the average rate of unemployment tax will pay $64.80 less per employee according to the lowered tax schedule. Employers paying the minimum rate will pay $19.20 less per worker and those paying the highest rate will pay $169.20 less per worker. The new average rate will be 2.58% per $1,000 paid an employee, while the minimum will be 0.73% and the maximum 6.80%.
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