Op-Ed
Bonds and budget
By Sen. Peter Bowman
Earlier this session, the Legislature overwhelmingly supported a $295 million bond package with a "super majority" two-thirds vote for approval. On the June 12 election, voters approved the first of three proposals. Another bond vote will take place in November of this year and then in June of 2008. There is a great amount of promise and potential in our state and these bonds will build for the future and a stronger economy through investments in transportation, research and development, education, natural resources, and the environment.
Bipartisan support continued near the end of session when the Legislature passed a state budget with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. Once again, political affiliation did not disrupt approval. This balanced budget does not raise broad based taxes and remains under the spending cap. The budget focuses on promoting long-term fiscal stability, responsible and efficient government, investing in Maine's future, increasing funding for K-12 public education and higher education, protecting the health and safety of all Maine residents, and ensuring Maine's quality of life.
Education
A controversial piece of the state budget surrounded the idea of school district administrative consolidation. As the Senate chair for the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, I certainly had a front row seat to the debate! However, after a series of public hearings and testimony, the Education Committee worked with the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and Legislative Leadership to craft a consolidation proposal that garnered bipartisan support from the full Legislature.
Under the 123rd Legislature, in fiscal 2009 the state will finally meet the voter-initiated 55-percent state funding, thus increasing K-12 education funding to $2 billion. Increases in higher education funding will allow for additional students to enroll in our community colleges and help reduce the tuition increase at the University of Maine campuses.
On a personal note, a bill I was proud to co-sponsor dealing with school truancy was passed into law. This bill is aimed at parents of elementary schoolchildren who miss a lot of school. Harsher fines are allowed for habitual truants. This bill stresses the importance of having your child in school during the elementary years when learning is most valuable.
Economy
Several key economic development programs were extended or increased by the 123rd Legislature; examples include the Maine Economic Improvement Fund, the Maine Downtown Centers, Small Business Development Centers, the Pine Tree Zones, the Maine Technology Institute, and the Municipal Investment Trust Fund.
Our infrastructure system anticipates improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port services, and bicycle and pedestrian trails. A comprehensive bill, LD 1790, "An Act to Secure Maine's Transportation Future," was approved to fund transportation projects and create long term stability and maintenance for our vital road infrastructure.
Environment
The Legislature took a major step in efforts to combat global warming with the passage of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative ("REGGIE"). Maine will join with 10 other states to work together in reducing power plant pollution by 10 percent over a decade. At an individual level, incentives are now offered to those who plan to use solar energy systems.
We also banned "deca" from being used as a flame retardant in a number of items including furniture, TVs, computers and mattresses. This harmful chemical poses a threat to the wellbeing and safety of pregnant women and children. This is just another step to improve the quality of life for the people of Maine, especially firefighters.
Taxes and Spending
There is still a great amount of work ahead in dealing with taxes in Maine. A bold tax proposal, which had supporters from both sides of the aisle, failed to gain sufficient support in the final days at the State House, but I am hopeful that it set the foundation for greater collaboration in achieving significant tax relief for the residents of Maine.
As for spending, the Legislature did flat-fund 25 state agencies and reduced spending at the Department of Health and Human Services by over $140 million. A commission has also been created to explore efficiencies in state government and in state contracts.
After experiencing the success of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, I personally sponsored legislation that would create a similar commission to study spending and tax reform in Maine. The bill will carry over into next session for further consideration.
As you can see, there are a lot of legislative accomplishments to be proud of. Of course much more work lies ahead for the second regular session. However, Maine is a stronger state thanks to much of the work from the 123rd Legislature and I am honored to be a part of it.
Sen. Peter B. Bowman represents York County in Senate District 1, which includes the communities of Eliot, Kittery, Ogunquit, South Berwick and York.
