Mills 'not giving up' on $239M bond package after legislative setback

Courtesy/Office of Ryan Fecteau Maine state Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, Assistant House Majority Leader, said that career and technical education in Maine faces a further funding delay after the governor's bond package failed to get a two-thirds majority in Augusta.

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By Staff

Maine lawmakers adjourned for the summer after failing to pass a $239 million bond package proposed by Gov. Janet Mills to fund broadband expansion and infrastructure repairs.

The package remains on the table after failing to get a two-thirds majority in the Legislature, with Mills indicating she might call lawmakers back into session later this year to address the unfinished business.

“In the coming weeks and months we will continue to talk about getting a bond package out in November,” she told Maine Public during a bill-signing ceremony Thursday. “We are not giving up. I think people just need a break.”

The bond package, unveiled in early June, aims to boost Maine’s economy by building a skilled workforce, repairing infrastructure and focusing on the environment and renewable energy.

Targeted areas include $50 million for economic development, including expanding access to broadband; $19 million for workforce development; $65 million for environmental protection and clean energy development; and $105 million to rebuild infrastructure.

The infrastructure wish list includes roads, bridges, ports, rail and air transportation, as well as restoration of a commercial fishing wharf to support research in the Gulf of Maine and marine-based jobs.

Assistant House Majority Leader Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, released a statement after the failed vote emailed to Mainebiz on Friday.

"Today we failed to fund a comprehensive, powerful bond package that would have provided important investments in Maine’s economy, infrastructure and environment," he said.

He specifically mentioned $5 million that would have gone towards supporting career and technical education in Maine, lamenting the fact that it has not had a bond in 21 yeas and now face a further financing delay.

"CTE centers need equipment upgrades and capital improvements to better serve our students and communities, and we are depriving them of the funds they deserve," he added. "These bonds were important, and we failed to act."