Bond package fails in Senate
The Senate yesterday failed to pass an $85 million bond that included funds to purchase railroad tracks in Aroostook County and provide up to $8 million for a deep-water mega berth in Portland.
Senators voted 19-16 along party lines in favor of the bond, but Democrats could not achieve the two-thirds majority needed to send the package to voters, according to the Associated Press. The House earlier gave it final approval by a 100-48 vote. If passed, nearly $80 million would go on the June 8 ballot and $5 million would be voted on in November. The bond package includes funds for highways, ports, wind power and water purification in addition to $27 million for railroads, $17 million of which would buy and preserve 233 miles of railroad track that's being abandoned in Aroostook County.
Lawmakers will revisit the bonds later today and decide whether to try to negotiate a compromise, according to the AP.
Go to the article from the AP >>
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