Senate rejects governor’s ‘open for business zones’ bill
Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to offer major incentives for large corporations to bring jobs to two former military bases in Maine was rejected by Senate Democrats on April 11, leading the governor to react by blaming Democrats for having a “job-killing agenda.”
The Senate voted 22-13 to reject LD 1835, according to the Bangor Daily News, behind arguments that the proposal was too generous. Joining the Democrats against the bill were Sen. Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop and Sen. Tom Saviello, R-Wilton.
The bill, which was unveiled by LePage during his State of the State address in February, was aimed at companies that would invest at least $50 million and create 1,500 jobs at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station or the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone.
Maine Department of Labor figures show that only 13 businesses in Maine meet or exceed those thresholds, and all of them have been in Maine for decades, according to the BDN.
The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate.
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