AUGUSTA (AP) — A Republican’s bill aims to release $15 million in bonds for senior housing that voters approved two years ago.
Lawmakers have accused Republican Gov. Paul LePage of refusing to release the bonds while Maine seniors struggle to find affordable housing.
Republican Sen. Roger Katz’s bill is set for an initial vote in the Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday.
Affordable housing advocates and developers call it a last-ditch effort to release the bonds while the termed-out governor is in office.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted last month 26-8 on the bill.
The governor claims the bill usurps his executive authority and that the bonds would harm the state’s credit rating.
State Treasurer Terry Hayes says the bonds wouldn’t damage Maine’s rating.
The state Constitution says voter-approved bonds expire after five years.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less