A recent decision championed by State House Republicans has prevented a $40 million bond issue from appearing on the Nov. 2 ballot. Taking a “we know what is best” attitude, Republican legislators, citing reasons of fiscal responsibility, took the issue of increasing our investment in Maine out of the hands of the voters.

This was a presumptuous move at best, and at worst a show of arrogant disregard for the voting public. Maine citizens are well aware of the current status of taxation in our state. Citizens know that paying interest on public investment has a direct-bearing tax policy. However, they are also aware that certain investments that directly influence our quality of life are worth the expense and have approved or rejected bond questions on their merit. There is no reason to believe that the voters should not be trusted to exercise the same good judgment today as they have done in the past.

Investing $11 million in our environment is an investment in our economy. This bond would allow Maine to acquire $21.5 million in matching federal funds, while leveraging an additional $13.9 million. Thirty-five communities throughout the state would benefit from environmental construction and cleanup. Drinking water system upgrades, wastewater construction loans and grants totaling $6,975,000 will be multiplied by making available $25.4 million in matching federal and CDBG/ Rural Development funds creating a budget of $32,375,000 to be spent locally. This could have an immediate positive impact on local economies by providing construction jobs whose wages flow back into local business.

In a time when high-paying jobs have been lost throughout the state, this factor can’t be ignored as a benefit of bond issue investment. Further, the resultant improvements in infrastructure become part of a statewide need to provide an atmosphere conducive to attracting industry. Clean water and the ability to handle municipal waste are necessary to maintain and grow healthy communities. Healthy communities encourage increased investment.

Industry does not survive, grow and locate in areas that don’t have adequate highway systems to receive raw materials and ship finished goods. Communities do not grow without safe roads to access jobs, schools, hospitals and other necessary services. The proposed $9 million transportation bond designates $7,750,000 to fund highway and bridge projects, $1,250,000 for ports and ferries including $250,000 for mandated equipment to meet federal requirements for port security. This expense of $9 million will result in the receipt of $33 million in matching federal dollars, dollars that in part were collected from Maine residents in the form of federal taxes.

Sustaining our way of life is not without expense and a comprehensive long-range plan. The proposed $20 million state land bond yields an additional $10 million match, allowing us to utilize $30 million to continue land conservation for the enjoyment of all Mainers. This is most important in the rapidly developing regions of mid- and south-coastal Maine. Public access to the coast and its beaches is essential to protect valuable recreational opportunities. Large tracts of northern woodlands are increasingly coming under private ownership. Access to hunting and fishing grounds must be retained to allow the continuation of family traditions treasured by those used to enjoying our great North Woods.

Maintaining sustainable forests ensures adequate wildlife habitat for all to enjoy. Land values have and will most likely continue to increase making current acquisition less costly than future purchases.

Interest rates have not been lower in decades. Approval of the $40 million bond issue acquires an additional $78.4 million in federal matching and other matching funds. This creates spending power of $118.4 million to be pumped into the Maine economy. Is there a cost? Of course there is. Recent bonds sold in June required debt service at 3.73 percent, approximately $1.35 a year for every citizen of Maine. Granting current concerns about the tax burden on Maine citizens, our debt levels are 13 percent lower than the national average, comparing favorably with that of the rest of New England and the country as a whole. The national average of tax supported per capita debt is $606. Maine stands at $525.

Many may think this is still far too much and oppose any further indebtedness despite the merits of another bond issue. Others may think this is a reasonable figure and be willing to accept further indebtedness in order to take advantage of low interest rates and availability of matching dollars.

The point here is that no citizen will have the opportunity to make a preference known. The bond issue will not be on the Nov. 2 ballot. You will be deprived of the right and privilege to cast your vote. Legislators want to protect you from making what they consider a wrong decision.

That is not what the referendum process is about. The referendum process is designed to allow for the most fundamental exercise of democracy, expressing your will, the “one man, one vote” process. You deserve to participate. Blocking the addition of the bond issue to the ballot is not fair, not right, and certainly not democratic. Write your representative.

It is never too late to express your opinion.

Tom Foley is a writer for the Katahdin Institute in Portland.