By Sen. Troy Jackson
(D-Allagash)
One of the most important investments we can make as a society is the education of our children. It’s why three of the five bond packages passed by the legislature in August will support our education system. Next week, these bond questions will be on the ballot for voter approval, and I hope you will support these critical investments in our state, particularly the three bonds to support higher education in Maine.
Questions 2, 4 and 5 provide more than $35 million for the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System, and the Maine Maritime Academy. Bonds are one important tool for investing in our future and lay the foundation for a strong economy, and these bonds will create jobs now, and prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future.
Question 2 will provide funding to renovate lab facilities throughout the University of Maine System, and Question 4 will fund the construction of a new science facility at Maine Maritime Academy. Within the University of Maine system, 70 percent of classrooms and other facilities have not been renovated in 25 years or more. Much-needed renovations and upgrades will increase student capacity and provide new space and equipment to ensure our students are not put at a competitive disadvantage in an increasingly competitive environment.
These bonds will also provide funding for new space and equipment for the cutting-edge fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Jobs in the STEM fields are good, well-paying jobs, and we need to be doing everything we can to prepare Mainers to fill these jobs.
Question 5 is a $15.5 million bond that will make crucial upgrades to the Maine Community College System, helping the colleges serve more students in key programs. While Maine jobs that require college degrees are expected to grow seven times faster than jobs that do not require these qualifications, student enrollment has not risen to meet growing demand. This kind of preparation means more students will be better trained to help fill future jobs statewide.
Also, investing in our community colleges is a triple win. First, renovating and upgrading existing buildings provides work for the plumbers, electricians, welders, and other graduates of the community colleges. Second, these upgrades will allow schools to expand access to high-demand programs, like nursing. Third, expanding and improving these programs will ensure we continue to provide qualified graduates to fill the jobs in high-demand, high-wage industries.
The University of Maine and the Community Colleges have been working to increase their enrollment and be more accessible to rural Mainers. Earlier this year, they worked with the legislature’s workforce committee on legislation to remove the backlog of wait-lists for 14 high-demand, high-wage programs, and fund four new programs available in rural Maine through the Bring College to ME program. Approving these bonds will help them continue this work.
I have said many times that the ladder of success should be accessible for everybody. A good education is the first rung on that ladder.
I hope you will join me in voting for these bonds so we can extend the ladder of success to all Maine people.
