Committee bargains on bond proposals

AUGUSTA – Legislative negotiators stepped up their talks over new state borrowing Friday, with majority Democrats working from a list that totaled more than $191 million.

Republicans were using a figure of $140 million as private discussions continued.

No deal was imminent, however. The Appropriations Committee planned to meet again Sunday afternoon.

“We’re still negotiating is all I can say,” said Democratic Sen. Mary Cathcart of Orono, a co-chairman of the panel. “So it could happen quickly Sunday or not at all.”

Borrowing proposals worth about $500 million in aggregate have been put before the Appropriations Committee for review.

Gov. John Baldacci proposed a four-piece package worth $175 million that includes a $75 million transportation bond and a $70 million bond for economic development initiatives.

Baldacci also is seeking borrowing to finance nearly $17 million in environmental projects and another bond issue of more than $13 million for higher education facilities, state parks, the state courts and what are described as cultural improvements.

More than the size of the ultimate borrowing package is at issue.

Baldacci has proposed that two parts of his package – the $70 million economic development bond and the $13.3 million borrowing for the University of Maine System, the fledgling community college system, state parks, the courts and local arts and cultural projects – be sent out for a statewide vote in June.