Baldacci pitches jobs bond; GOP warns of more debt
The Associated Press
AUGUSTA — Now that Maine lawmakers have completed their work on a supplemental state budget, their attention is turning to bonds. A weekend exchange between the Democratic governor and Republican lawmakers may set the stage for debate to take place in the next week.
In his weekly radio address, Gov. John Baldacci pitched his $79 million job-creation bond package. Baldacci said the proposal before the Appropriations Committee would put 2,000 people back to work within the next year and help protect the jobs of thousands of more workers.
It includes funds for highways, preservation of freight rail service in Aroostook County, and other transportation and energy projects.
"I know that among some there is concern about borrowing right now, even for the worthy cause of creating jobs," said Baldacci, who days earlier signed a bill that closes a $310 million budget gap. "But we cannot sit back and wait for the economy to improve. We must take appropriate action to make it happen."
In the GOP response, House Minority Leader Josh Tardy of Newport said this is the wrong time for the state to take on more debt.
In addition to Baldacci's bond proposal, Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell of Vassalboro, one of five Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls, proposed a $99 million bond package.
Tardy said Democrats and Republicans agreed last spring to a $150 million bond package to span the current two-year budget cycle. The first $71 million was approved in November and the rest goes before voters this June and November.
"Even before those new bonds have been issued or given a chance to work, the Democrats are back demanding more," Tardy said. "You remember the infamous stimulus program of about $800 billion. Imagine if Washington politicians had proposed another $400 billion stimulus a month later, before the first one had a chance to kick in. That's what is happening in Augusta."
Tardy said Maine's debt stands at $11.5 billion.
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11 COMMENTS
golf said...
The 800 Bill. that Bush gave to wall st. did nothing for the middle class. The 800 Bill. that Obama gave also did nothing for the middle class. If all you greedy idiots had kept the jobs in this country instead of outsourseing them China @ India everybody that wanted to work would have a decent job. The country would not be in this mess. Have a nice day!!!
April 4, 2010 at 6:41 AM Report abuse
barrylincoln said...
john baldacci is bare none the worst politician maine has ever had in the blaine house.
April 4, 2010 at 6:54 AM Report abuse
Govt2Big said...
We must stop spending more than we have! The extreme liberals are killing our kid's future.
April 4, 2010 at 8:39 AM Report abuse
BonusEleven said...
The good ol' democrats. They've put our workers in direct competition with the world's cheapest labor, shipping our jobs overseas. This makes sense coming from the original party of slavery. They simply believe they shouldn't have to work while others toil. This arrogant, elitest strategy did not last in the beginning of this great nation and and it will not last much further into the new millenium. Liberty and freedom shall, and will always, overcome the democrat's long-standning adoration and political support for slavery and segregation.
April 4, 2010 at 8:40 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
Jobs bill what a laugh! This bill puts the State deeper in debt and will create higher taxes for all! Another lame brain idea brought to you by the democratic party! When will this State wake up and realize that the democrats have controlled the Maine house and senate for over 40 years and the State is ranked one of the worse as to taxes! These taxes such as the capital gains tax are 2-1/2 percent higher than any other state around. Businesses WON'T relocate to a state that costs them more to operate in, that’s only common sense! Time to vote the democrats out of office for politicians that have ideas for growth in this state and the past 40 years show it's not the democratic party!
April 4, 2010 at 9:19 AM Report abuse
Dee said...
I have always felt that Maine is way to eager to approve bonds. I tend to not like adding to our debt ratio. I have voted against just about every bond in the last 30 years, however, the rest of the Maine voters have voted yes so I have been overruled which is exactly what the public will get to do with these bond requests.
April 4, 2010 at 10:22 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
The real jobs are being created in OBAMA's occupation of Afghanistan: from today's NYTIMES: In central Marja, where the work projects have had more success, about 2,000 Afghan men are employed by programs financed by the First Battalion, Sixth Marines, said the unit’s civil affairs leader, Maj. David Fennell. At one of the battalion’s outposts, shipments of cash arrive regularly. The last was 10 million afghanis, or $210,000, stuffed into a rucksack. The battalion doles out $150,000 a week, Major Fennell said. On one afternoon in late March, 40 Afghans could be seen clearing away several acres of rubble remaining from a bazaar leveled during a NATO bomb strike two years ago. The $190,000 contract is expected to take a month to complete. .........some might think it insane to bomb them and then hire the survivors to clean up...must be a Chicago Mafia technique?
April 4, 2010 at 11:38 AM Report abuse
common_cents said...
golf...wasn't that 800 bill. approved by the Democrats in Congress?...hateful Bush bashing is sounding more and more moronic as the OBAMA regime wraps its red tentacles around our society.
April 4, 2010 at 11:43 AM Report abuse
Felix said...
WHENEVER YOU HEAR BOZO TRYING TO SELL YOU A "JOBS" DEAL, REMEMBER THAT HIS IDEA OF JOBS IS MORE DEBT, STATE WASTE, VOTES, TEMPORARY WORK WITH NO BENEFITS, FOLLOWED BY UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS, AND SLOPPING THE UNION HOGS! DON'T SUPPORT IT!!!!! IT'S YOUR MONEY HE WANTS TO THROW AWAY.
April 4, 2010 at 4:16 PM Report abuse
somwhermaine said...
with a picture this grim we don't need any bond referendums for what some call job creation this state is already 35 billion in debt as it is. the voting population of this state does not get it when it comes to bonds. You pay approx 734 per capita per year for debt service. it is time to say NO not even for a railroad to nowhere let the private sector sort it out they are the ones that create jobs anyway.
April 4, 2010 at 5:17 PM Report abuse
barrylincoln said...
i honestly think the maine voter is so naive that they dont realize this is their tax money they are voting for. bond for schools? yes, i think schools are goo. bond for highways? yes, i like smooth highway. they just dont get it. and THAT is why so many idiots cheer for barry when he tell us how good health care is going to be. WE ARE PAYING FOR IT (err, china is paying for it) YOU MAH ROONS!!!
April 4, 2010 at 7:46 PM Report abuse