Maine Transportation Bond Question, Question 4 (2012)
| Transportation Bond Question | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | legislatively referred state statute |
| Origin | Maine Legislature |
| Topic | Bond issues |
| Status | |
The Maine Transportation Bond Question was on the November 6, 2012 ballot in the state of Maine as a legislatively referred state statute, where it was approved. The measure allowed for a $51 million transportation bond, most of it to pay for road and bridge repairs in the state.[1]
The proposal was sent to the ballot during the week of May 17, 2012 as a part of four bond issues that were placed up for a statewide public vote.
Aftermath
After the general election resulted in three of the four proposed bond measures being approved, including Question 4, Maine Governor Paul LePage stated that he would wait to sell the approximately $64 million in approved bonds until the state economic difficulties subsided.
However, during a speech after being sworn into office on January 7, 2013, newly-elected state treasurer Neria Douglass called for the governor to allow for those bonds to be issued. According to Douglass, "These are measures that the people of Maine voted on."
The governor's spokeswoman, Adrienne Bennett countered Douglass later when interviewed, saying, "What the governor has said all along is we need to wait until it's fiscally prudent to move forward with the bonds. That time isn't right now."[2]
Election results
- See also: 2012 ballot measure election results
The following are official election results:
| Maine Question 4 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| 499,366 | 68.9% | |||
| No | 191,454 | 26.4% | ||
Results via the Maine Secretary of State's website.[3]
Text of measure
Ballot language
The following was the ballot language that appeared before voters:[4]
| “ | Do you favor a $51,500,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, local roads, airports and port facilities, as well as for funds for rail access, transit buses and the LifeFlight Foundation, which will make the State eligible for at least $105,600,000 in federal and other matching funds?[5] | ” |
Support
- The Maine Chamber of Commerce was in favor of the measure.
Opposition
No formal opposition was identified.
Other perspectives
- According to Brian Parke, president of the Maine Motor Transport Association, “We’re not taking a formal position because there is more in the bond question than just road and bridge funding."[6]
Path to the ballot
The Maine Legislature passed the measure during May 2012, sending it to the governor for either approval for the ballot or veto. The measure was reviewed and sent to the ballot.[1]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 WMTW.com, "Lawmakers pass 5 bond proposals," May 17, 2012
- ↑ Sea Coast Online, "Maine treasurer wants voter-approved bonds sold," January 8, 2012
- ↑ Percentages reflect the total of 'yes', 'no' and blank votes. Therefore, these calculations do not add up to 100% since blank votes are not displayed.
- ↑ Maine Elections division, "November 6, 2012 - Referendum Election," accessed September 26, 2012
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ TTNews, "Maine Voters Asked to Approve Bonds Worth $51.5 Million, Some of It for Roads," October 9, 2012
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