October 29, 2007
Vote smart | Our crib notes for the November ballot
By Mainebiz Editorial Staff
On Nov. 6, Mainers will vote on five referendum questions that could have far-reaching impacts on Maine's economy.
From a controversial bid to build a racino in Washington County to bonds seeking $134 million for research and development to a bid to extend legislative term limits, these questions could set important policy precedents that will affect Maine businesses long into the future. Consequently, they're generating their share of loud yeas and neas from observers around the state. What's a Mainebiz reader to do?
Never fear, dear voters. Here's our handy guide to the November ballot, along with thoughts on the questions from Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce; Christopher St. John, executive director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy; and Bill Becker, president and CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center.
Question One: Citizen Initiative
Do you want to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County?
Summary: The Passamaquoddy Tribe needs voters' permission to build a gambling facility with up to 1,500 slot machines at a racetrack casino near Calais' business district. Supporters believe the racino would create jobs and spin-off businesses in the state's poorest county. But detractors say legalized gambling will tarnish Maine's image, increase crime in the area and encourage more gaming sites around the state.
Positions:
Dana Connors, president, Maine State Chamber of Commerce: No position
"We did not take a position for or against on the racino in the Bangor area, likewise we are not taking a position on a similar facility in the Calais area. We felt it was more appropriate left to the region to decide."
Christopher St. John, executive director, Maine Center for Economic Policy: No position
"We see strengths and weaknesses to the proposal."
Bill Becker, president and CEO, Maine Heritage Policy Center: No position
"The center does not take positions on social issues."
Question Two: Bond Issue
Do you favor a bond issue to stimulate economic development and job creation that would provide $5,000,000 in loans and grant funds and would provide $50,000,000 in research, development and commercialization funds for targeted technology sectors, awarded after a competitive process administered by the Maine Technology Institute, and will leverage at least $50,000,000 in other funds?
Summary: If the bond passes, most of it will be matched by federal or private money. The total will be allocated to private and public companies in areas like aquaculture, biotechnology and precision manufacturing technology. Some fiscally prudent voices caution voters about approving additional debt.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Support
"It's about providing the skill and the training that we need for our people."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Support
"There's a strong consensus that Maine is low in research and development funding and that to compete with other states it's a must-do."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"State government should focus on improving the tax burden and health care marketplace so that all sectors can prosper. The government should not be picking 'winners' and 'losers.'"
Question Three: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $43,500,000 bond issue for interior and exterior building renovations, improvements and additions at all campuses of the Maine Community College System, the Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine System; to replenish the School Revolving Renovation Fund for school repairs and renovations; and to support capital improvements for cultural and educational assets such as museums, historical facilities and libraries?
Summary: UMaine Chancellor Richard Pattenaude said institutions of higher education need to be modern and efficient. Detractors say universities could fund improvements by budgeting and fundraising.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Support
"Collectively [questions two and three] make a strong combined statement that both the skill in our people and the competitive edge through R&D are critical to our future success."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Support
"Again, [there is] strong consensus that higher education is essential for increasing incomes, and investing in facilities is essential to meet demand."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"If these projects are deemed necessary, the institutions should prioritize expenditures through annual budgets and reserve funds. They should also engage in private capital campaigns."
Question Four: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $35,500,000 bond issue to invest in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and working waterfront and to invest in state parks, historic sites and riverfront, community and farm infrastructure to be matched by at least $21,875,000 in private and public contributions?
Summary: About $17 million of this bond will go to Land for Maine's Future, a conservation program adopted in 1987. About $3 million will go toward protecting Maine's working waterfront and $7.5 million will be used for improvements to Maine parks and historic sites.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Support
"There is a common theme that emerges that I equate to a brand or to Maine's brand ˆ the word is qualityˆ quality of our products, quality of our people and quality of place. And this speaks very much to the quality of place."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Support
"Access to the rivers, woods and waterfront is essential for communities, businesses and individuals to thrive."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"Conservation efforts should be conducted through private institutions and endowments."
Question Five: Referendum
Do you favor extending term limits for Legislators from four to six terms?
Summary: Maine term limits, instituted in 1996 to oust entrenched politicians, have increased turnover in the Legislature, but critics say lawmakers can't now address complex, long-term issues. Opponents worry fewer new faces will challenge incumbents if terms are increased from eight to 12 years, making policymakers less responsive to constituents.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: No position
"We have advocated over time that this is an issue that needs to be addressed and looked at. It was the decision of the board that we would simply let the people decide on this and live with its results."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: No position
"I personally have been working with the Maine state Legislature since 1975, and I have absolutely no question, based on that 32 years of experience, that term limits make it more difficult for legislators to become effective at their job."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"Maine has one of the weakest term-limit laws in the nation and it should not be further weakened."
From a controversial bid to build a racino in Washington County to bonds seeking $134 million for research and development to a bid to extend legislative term limits, these questions could set important policy precedents that will affect Maine businesses long into the future. Consequently, they're generating their share of loud yeas and neas from observers around the state. What's a Mainebiz reader to do?
Never fear, dear voters. Here's our handy guide to the November ballot, along with thoughts on the questions from Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce; Christopher St. John, executive director of the Maine Center for Economic Policy; and Bill Becker, president and CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center.
Question One: Citizen Initiative
Do you want to allow a Maine tribe to run a harness racing track with slot machines and high-stakes beano games in Washington County?
Summary: The Passamaquoddy Tribe needs voters' permission to build a gambling facility with up to 1,500 slot machines at a racetrack casino near Calais' business district. Supporters believe the racino would create jobs and spin-off businesses in the state's poorest county. But detractors say legalized gambling will tarnish Maine's image, increase crime in the area and encourage more gaming sites around the state.
Positions:
Dana Connors, president, Maine State Chamber of Commerce: No position
"We did not take a position for or against on the racino in the Bangor area, likewise we are not taking a position on a similar facility in the Calais area. We felt it was more appropriate left to the region to decide."
Christopher St. John, executive director, Maine Center for Economic Policy: No position
"We see strengths and weaknesses to the proposal."
Bill Becker, president and CEO, Maine Heritage Policy Center: No position
"The center does not take positions on social issues."
Question Two: Bond Issue
Do you favor a bond issue to stimulate economic development and job creation that would provide $5,000,000 in loans and grant funds and would provide $50,000,000 in research, development and commercialization funds for targeted technology sectors, awarded after a competitive process administered by the Maine Technology Institute, and will leverage at least $50,000,000 in other funds?
Summary: If the bond passes, most of it will be matched by federal or private money. The total will be allocated to private and public companies in areas like aquaculture, biotechnology and precision manufacturing technology. Some fiscally prudent voices caution voters about approving additional debt.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Support
"It's about providing the skill and the training that we need for our people."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Support
"There's a strong consensus that Maine is low in research and development funding and that to compete with other states it's a must-do."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"State government should focus on improving the tax burden and health care marketplace so that all sectors can prosper. The government should not be picking 'winners' and 'losers.'"
Question Three: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $43,500,000 bond issue for interior and exterior building renovations, improvements and additions at all campuses of the Maine Community College System, the Maine Maritime Academy and the University of Maine System; to replenish the School Revolving Renovation Fund for school repairs and renovations; and to support capital improvements for cultural and educational assets such as museums, historical facilities and libraries?
Summary: UMaine Chancellor Richard Pattenaude said institutions of higher education need to be modern and efficient. Detractors say universities could fund improvements by budgeting and fundraising.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Support
"Collectively [questions two and three] make a strong combined statement that both the skill in our people and the competitive edge through R&D are critical to our future success."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Support
"Again, [there is] strong consensus that higher education is essential for increasing incomes, and investing in facilities is essential to meet demand."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"If these projects are deemed necessary, the institutions should prioritize expenditures through annual budgets and reserve funds. They should also engage in private capital campaigns."
Question Four: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $35,500,000 bond issue to invest in land conservation, water access, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation opportunities, including hunting and fishing, farmland and working waterfront and to invest in state parks, historic sites and riverfront, community and farm infrastructure to be matched by at least $21,875,000 in private and public contributions?
Summary: About $17 million of this bond will go to Land for Maine's Future, a conservation program adopted in 1987. About $3 million will go toward protecting Maine's working waterfront and $7.5 million will be used for improvements to Maine parks and historic sites.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: Support
"There is a common theme that emerges that I equate to a brand or to Maine's brand ˆ the word is qualityˆ quality of our products, quality of our people and quality of place. And this speaks very much to the quality of place."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: Support
"Access to the rivers, woods and waterfront is essential for communities, businesses and individuals to thrive."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"Conservation efforts should be conducted through private institutions and endowments."
Question Five: Referendum
Do you favor extending term limits for Legislators from four to six terms?
Summary: Maine term limits, instituted in 1996 to oust entrenched politicians, have increased turnover in the Legislature, but critics say lawmakers can't now address complex, long-term issues. Opponents worry fewer new faces will challenge incumbents if terms are increased from eight to 12 years, making policymakers less responsive to constituents.
Positions:
Maine State Chamber of Commerce: No position
"We have advocated over time that this is an issue that needs to be addressed and looked at. It was the decision of the board that we would simply let the people decide on this and live with its results."
Maine Center for Economic Policy: No position
"I personally have been working with the Maine state Legislature since 1975, and I have absolutely no question, based on that 32 years of experience, that term limits make it more difficult for legislators to become effective at their job."
Maine Heritage Policy Center: Oppose
"Maine has one of the weakest term-limit laws in the nation and it should not be further weakened."
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