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Poll results

Maine voters in November will decide whether the state should issue $25 million in bonds to fund research, development and commercialization of new technology.

The ballot measure, which the Maine Legislature passed and Gov. Janet Mills signed, is known as Invest in Maine's Future and will appear as Question 2.

The money would go to support technological innovation in a range of emerging sectors and legacy industries, including life sciences, composites and advanced materials, renewable energy, forestry, aquaculture and more.

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and other supporters of the bond issue say it would leverage other funding and increase economic opportunity for Maine businesses.

The initiative is one of three bond proposals on the Nov. 5 ballot. Together they would represent $65 million in obligations for the state.

Maine voters last approved an R&D bond in 2017.

Do you support the Invest in Maine's Future proposal, issuing $25 million in state bonds for technological R&D?
Yes (68%, 198 VOTES)
No (27%, 78 VOTES)
Undecided (6%, 17 VOTES)
Poll Description

Maine voters in November will decide whether the state should issue $25 million in bonds to fund research, development and commercialization of new technology.

The ballot measure, which the Maine Legislature passed and Gov. Janet Mills signed, is known as Invest in Maine's Future and will appear as Question 2.

The money would go to support technological innovation in a range of emerging sectors and legacy industries, including life sciences, composites and advanced materials, renewable energy, forestry, aquaculture and more.

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and other supporters of the bond issue say it would leverage other funding and increase economic opportunity for Maine businesses.

The initiative is one of three bond proposals on the Nov. 5 ballot. Together they would represent $65 million in obligations for the state.

Maine voters last approved an R&D bond in 2017.

  • 293 Votes
  • 2 Comments

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2 Comments

  • August 5, 2024

    The State has never handled research funds responsibly. MTI sets their requirements too high. They have only stood up for specific areas of science and technology. The State needs to develop a non-discretionary research program that doesn't require a bank and an army of people to get funds. They have marginal grant writers and worse advisors.
    A solid government funded research program should focus on getting startups and inventors to a prototype production which can then be demonstrated to more people in bigger, wealthier communities. What % of this $25million will end up in the hands of advisors and consultant that match the politics in the game?
    Private funding for R&D should each offer their own programs without duplicating innovators served. Once they have the prototype, then the external Venture Capital will fund everything.

  • August 5, 2024

    Use some of the "rainy day" funds to offset this amount