By Kevin Miller, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story As lawmakers return to the State House this week, a coalition of organizations and individuals is urging legislators to support a $5 million bond proposal for the Land for Maine’s Future program. Although consistently popular with Maine voters, the program doled out its final $9.25 Read More
Land for Maine's Future
Mainers Rally for Land for Maine’s Future
Bipartisan supporters say bond will spur economic growth and conserve natural resources Land Bond Coalition news release AUGUSTA — Heralding the economic benefit of conserving our state’s natural resources, Mainers including fishermen, sportsmen, conservationists, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle called on the Legislature to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) program Read More
Land For Maine’s Future Bond Will Face Plenty of Competition on Ballot
by Susan Sharon MPBN news story As bonds go, it’s a small one, just $5 million. But supporters of the bond to replenish the Land for Maine’s Future program said it faces an uphill battle even though polls show most voters overwhelmingly support the idea of preserving wildlife habitat and public access. That’s because the Read More
Land Conservation Priorities Can Be Better Defined
Bangor Daily News editorial The Land for Maine’s Future program committed the last of its money last year. So, as lawmakers consider whether Maine should borrow money to pay for infrastructure and other projects, the lack of money for land acquisition should be a concern. Members of the Appropriations Committee have agreed to a $5 Read More
Investing in Public Land is Good Business for Maine
Lawmakers should not hold bond issues hostage to the governor’s policy priorities. Maine Sunday Telegram editorial A state that prides itself on being open for business ought to know what business it is in. Maine’s No. 1 industry is tourism, so it has an interest in preserving public access to woods, coastline, mountaintops and trail Read More
It’s Time to Borrow to Invest in Maine
Bangor Daily News editorial No state borrowing was put before voters last year, a rare occurrence indeed. But then, Republicans winning control of the Maine House of Representatives, Senate and Blaine House also is a rare occurrence. As the Legislature nears the finish line of this session, Democrats are putting bonds back on the table. Read More
Governor LePage Proposal to Abolish State Planning Office Sparks Fight
by Mal Leary MPBN news story Gov. Paul LePage is proposing that the State Planning Office be abolished, and its functions assumed by other state agencies. He wants some of the department’s resources to go to a new Office of Policy and Management but the initiative is drawing concerns from both parties. The first red Read More
State’s Land Fund is Great Investment
Regardless of politics, Mainers have shown support at the ballot box for preserving land, and it pays off economically. Maine Sunday Telegram op-ed Like many who grow up in Maine, I was raised with a love of the outdoors — of the woods and lands in this state. When we think of Maine, each of Read More
Support of LD 852, An Act To Authorize a General Fund Bond Issue To Support Maine’s Natural Resource-based Economy
by Cathy Johnson, NRCM North Woods Project Director Good afternoon Sen. Rosen, Rep. Flood and members of the Appropriations Committee. My name is Cathy Johnson. I am here today on behalf of the 12,000 members and supporters of the Natural Resources Council of Maine to speak in support of LD 852, An Act To Authorize Read More