Recently, my colleagues and I in the Legislature wrapped up the second regular session of the Legislature. One of the most important end-of-session accomplishments was passing $50 million in bond proposals for the State of Maine. These bond proposals are essential to keeping jobs in Maine, improving infrastructure, and working towards a 21st century economy.
One of the bonds was a measure I sponsored that provides $7 million to strengthen Maine’s marine economy and invest in lobster and seafood processing in Downeast Maine.
I have always worked towards proposals that aim to keep jobs in our state, and this case is no different. Instead of seeing our resources leave the state for processing in Canada, we should be creating opportunities for workers and businesses here in Maine to create a level playing field.
While I am happy to sponsor a measure that is directed at seafood manufacturing in Maine, this is only one positive aspect of this bond package.
We also approved a bond proposal put forth by the Legislature’s Workforce Committee to provide $12 million in funding for the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) to support small businesses and entrepreneurs and create jobs. This includes $8 million to be directly invested in small business and revitalizing downtowns, with $4 million towards insuring those loans made by local financial institutions.
There is also a $3 million bond for biological research. This money will be matched by nearly $6 million in private and public funds and will be awarded through a competitive bidding process to institutions designated as Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence. Another bond puts $10 million towards biometric research to discover solutions for cancer and other diseases. These are crucial research areas in the science and medical fields that we can work on right here in Maine.
I recently visited the MDI biological lab, where they are doing impressive work with stem cell regeneration, particularly with zebrafish and salamander. Both organisms have incredible capability to replace and regenerate organs. Amazingly, they also use the same genes as we do – which means there is potential for regeneration capacity for humans as well.
There will also be $8 million bond for the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension System Service to support farms throughout Maine.
Finally, we passed a $10 million bond to ensure clean drinking water sources, restore wetlands, and invest in public infrastructure. Much of our water-based infrastructure is falling behind, and in Maine it is important that we protect natural resources that we all use and love.
I am glad that in Augusta, we can agree on common sense investments that will create jobs and strengthen our state.
The bonds have been sent to Governor LePage for his signature, and will then appear on the November ballot. I hope you will join me in supporting this investment for Maine’s future.
Sen. Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) is majority leader of the Maine Senate. He can be reached at either 398-4081 (home) or 436-0763 (cell), or via email at SenTroy. Jackson@legislature.maine.
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