Lawmakers tour UM programs

ORONO – The University of Maine proved a fruitful stop for legislators participating in the Maine Development Foundation’s economic tour of eastern and northern Maine.

The bus tour, which began Wednesday at Sappi Fine Paper mill in Skowhegan, is slated to end Friday evening back at the Capitol. But first, the 75 legislators participating will visit a variety of destinations to gain a better understanding of the state’s economy, learn about the impact of public policy decisions, and become more knowledgeable about different constituencies.

The tour, titled “Engaging in Maine’s Future,” made a stop Wednesday afternoon at UM and gave legislators a chance to see and hear from educators and students about the impact the state’s allocation of research and development funds is having.

“I’m really excited that this is happening because I think it educates legislators from other parts of the state,” Rep. Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor, said.

While at UM, legislators visited the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center; the Laboratory for Surface Science and Technology; the Student Innovations Center, where they learned about UM’s endeavors to assist students in starting their own businesses; and the university’s forest bioproducts research lab.

In Faircloth’s opinion, the university is an economic driver for the state. He has been a longtime education bond supporter.

Faircloth said he realizes, however, that it takes a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to approve such bonds.

“You have to have, by necessity, bipartisan support,” he said.

The representative said he’s hoping legislators can “get over the hump of last session” and begin to make some effective changes.

Although several legislators on the tour were from central Maine, others from the southern portion of the state appreciated the chance to see firsthand the effect that state funding of research and development is having.

“This is certainly an experience for me,” Rep. Joan Nass. R-Acton, said. On her second foundation tour, she admitted to visiting the northern portion of the state fewer than a handful of times.

She was hoping to meet and talk to as many people as possible on the tour to learn what she can do to improve the lives of Mainers.

Nass, too, said the UM tour made her realize the importance of research and development.

“It boosts your image to see that there’s something behind what you’re hearing,” Nass said. “Sometimes you need to see it.”

She explained that young people should feel free to leave the state to experience things elsewhere, but also should know that there is opportunity for them here should they wish to stay or return.

Her son is an example of that. After having lived in Washington, D.C., he now has returned to Maine.

“This is how life should be to raise a family,” she said.

Rep. Chris Barstow, D-Gorham, also said it was nice to concentrate on the good things the state has to offer.

“The biggest thing from these tours is seeing how important it is,” Barstow said.

He pointed out that research and development is an important economic driver for the state, but to see it at work is something different.

“A lot of times we get bogged down with the negative,” he said. “We need to make sure we’re emphasizing the positive.”