House Democrats gauge bond plan, embrace Q1

AUGUSTA – More than 50 House Democrats attending a caucus arranged by their leaders said Monday they would return to the Capitol this summer for a special session on a November bond package if legislators can reach two-thirds agreement on the borrowing proposal.

Opposed to the tax cap question on the November ballot, the Democratic lawmakers also unanimously agreed not to explore crafting a competing measure that voters could consider instead of the cap advanced by tax activist Carol Palesky. Reasoning that a competing measure would be confusing to the voters, the Democrats said they would attempt to emphasize the stark choices for municipal service cutbacks they said will have to be made if Palesky’s measure passes.

House Democratic Majority Leader John Richardson of Brunswick said the members of his party support Question 1, which was approved by the voters in June, and will make the tax relief plan’s implementation part of their fall campaign. Richardson also said Democrats believe many of the issues affected by a bond package that failed to gain legislative approval in April are too important to put off until next year.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with what happened here today,” he said. “We’re going to abandon the issues related to some tax reform measures which we could not reach consensus on and go with what is successful, and that’s the Question 1. We’ve agreed to get behind a reasonable bond package because we want to invest in Maine’s future as Democrats.”

Three members of the governor’s staff who were monitoring the afternoon meeting of House Democrats appeared pleased with the outcome.

Last Friday, Gov. John Baldacci told legislative leaders he will submit a new $55 million bond package for consideration by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. The plan is nearly half of what was proposed by Senate Democrats and more than what Republicans were willing to approve earlier this year. It would provide $30 million for the Land For Maine’s Future Program; $11.75 million targeted largely for the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, including about $2 million earmarked for port and ferry improvements; and a little more than $13 million for environmental upgrades with an emphasis on water quality improvements.

Borrowing proposals require two-thirds support in the House and Senate to go out to referendum. Even if all 82 House Democrats and 18 Senate Democrats agreed on the shape of a bond package, they still would need the support of Republicans to meet the supermajority threshold.

Republican House leader Joe Bruno of Raymond and Senate GOP leader Paul Davis of Sangerville have remained largely dismissive of convening a special session this summer to address a bond package as suggested by Baldacci. On Monday, Senate Republicans said they would be willing to return for a special session on tax reform, but not bonds.

“Spending in Maine has been growing more than twice the rate of inflation,” Davis said in a prepared statement. “Maine taxpayers have been pushed to the limit and deserve a break. Why would the Democrats want to heap additional debt on top of the massive debt and other financial problems that currently exist?”

Democrats agreed to back a special session on bonding if the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee turns out a unanimous report in favor of a borrowing package and GOP leaders give it their blessing. Rep. Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven and a member of the Appropriations Committee, said she believed a unanimous vote from her panel was possible.

“I think the Republicans were with us and talking about a $55 million bond package at the end of the session,” she said. “I think we could have gotten there then, and I think it’s possible this summer.”

“Compromise is the name of the game,” said Rep. Pat Blanchette, D-Bangor.

Discussions were frank and to the point as the Democrats vowed to make Republicans accountable if they continue to oppose a bond proposal. On the issue of tax reform, many legislators were supportive of a competing measure for the tax cap in the absence of a workable tax relief plan from the Legislature.

“People are so angry that we didn’t do anything,” said Rep. Joanne Twomey, D-Biddeford. “We need to have a competing measure because we look like we failed.”