To the Editor:

The Maine Constitution gives the Legislature two tools with which to foster development in the state: It can sell state land or property, and it can guarantee loans.

These are powers the Legislature can grant to towns and cities, through its ability to charter municipal public corporations. It cannot assume additional powers, such as being a bank and providing loans with taxpayer funds not can it give away land or funds.

Because the Legislature has violated its own law (the Maine Constitution) does not mean it can legally delegate this ability to violate the law to the towns or cities. Our legislature has violated its trust to uphold the Constitution, the executive branch has failed to veto such legislation and the judiciary is either complicit when it has the opportunity to correct this or sits idly by and allows it to happen.

When government fails to police itself, the people suffer a loss.

Even if the businesses survive, the state will never recover the taxpayers money, and activities such as the recent gift to the Brunswick Taxi will continue to be encouraged.

Fred Blanchard
Brunswick