GOP, Dems unite for bond package

AUGUSTA – As legislative negotiators reassembled Monday to try to nail down the details of a $295 million deal on new state borrowing, caucus leaders on both sides of the aisle assessed the victories and concessions involved in the accord.

For majority Democrats, said House Democratic leader Hannah Pingree of North Haven, their negotiators succeeded in bringing Republicans along to support a bigger and broader bond package than GOP lawmakers had first proposed.

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Richard Rosen of Bucksport, meanwhile, said GOP negotiators can live with committing themselves to a multistage borrowing approach now because they still expect to have an influential say on the shape of budget legislation for this year and the next two-year cycle.

The $295 million package, which leaders hope to bring before the full House and Senate this week, would be put before voters in three separate referendums – this June, this November and November 2008.

“This package will lay a solid foundation for growth by creating high-paying permanent jobs, advancing higher education opportunities, and protecting the Maine brand,” Pingree said in a statement.

House Republican leader Josh Tardy of Newport also praised the general agreement.

“Highways and bridges were the real winners, with more than one-third of the total bond amount,” Tardy said in a statement from House Republicans.

As outlined by lawmakers on both sides, the negotiated package is designed to raise $110 million for road and bridge repair and $26 million more for other transportation projects, including passenger and freight rail, trails, transit and ferry improvements.

Last month, Democratic Gov. John Baldacci outlined a two-stage bond package worth just under $400 million.

About $131 million of his original proposal was aimed at transportation-related projects and another $131 million targeted for business investment and research and development. Additionally, the governor proposed borrowing more than $97 million to promote environmental initiatives.

Republican leaders had proposed $200 million in bonding, with $180 million going to repairs of roads and bridges and $20 million to improve sewer systems and water quality.

Appropriations Committee members worked through the afternoon and into Monday night on developing specific lists of projects up for funding if voters approve.

Lingering disagreement between majority Democrats and the Republican bloc on the committee generated new rounds of argument as House and Senate leaders looked on intermittently and consulted repeatedly with members of their caucuses.