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Maine Transportation Bond, Question 3 (2015)
| Question 3 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Bond issue |
| Origin | Maine Legislature |
| Topic | Bonds |
| Status | Approved  |
| Maine 2015 ballot |
|---|
| Question 1 - Elections |
| Question 2 - Senior citizens bond issue |
| Question 3 - Transportation bond issue |
| All 2015 U.S. measures |
|---|
The Maine Transportation Bond, Question 3 was on the November 3, 2015 ballot in Maine as a legislatively referred bond question, where it was approved.
| Voting yes would have issued a $85 million bond for transportation projects. |
| Voting no would have left current funds unchanged. A $85 million bond would not have been issued. |
Election results
| Maine Question 3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 159050 | 72.74% | ||
| No | 59595 | 27.26% | ||
Election results via: Maine Secretary of State
Introduction
The measure required $85 million be allocated two ways. It required the first $68 million to be used for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and the other $17 million allocated to facilities and equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads, and bicycle and pedestrian trails that preserve public safety or have demonstrated high economic value.[1]
The federal government matched the bond with $121,500,000 dedicated to Maine transportation projects.
Question 3 was legislatively referred to the ballot via Legislative Document No. 1415 (LD 1415). This piece of legislation also certified a larger $90 million transportation bond for the 2016 ballot in Maine.
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was:[1]
| “ | Do you favor an $85,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities and equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $121,500,000 in federal and other funds?[2] | ” |
Full text
The full text of the measure can be read below:[1]
| Maine Transportation Bond, Question 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| An Act To Authorize Two General Fund Bond Issues To Improve Highways, Bridges and Multimodal Facilities
Preamble. Two thirds of both Houses of the Legislature deeming it necessary in accordance with the Constitution of Maine, Article IX, Section 14 to authorize the issuance of bonds on behalf of the State of Maine to provide funds as described in this Act, Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: Sec. 1. Authorization of bonds. The Treasurer of State is authorized, under the direction of the Governor, to issue bonds in the name and on behalf of the State in an amount not exceeding $85,000,000 for the purposes described in section 5 of this Part. The bonds are a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State. The bonds may not run for a period longer than 10 years from the date of the original issue of the bonds. Sec. 2. Records of bonds issued; Treasurer of State. The Treasurer of State shall ensure that an account of each bond is kept showing the number of the bond, the name of the successful bidder to whom sold, the amount received for the bond, the date of sale and the date when payable. Sec. 3. Sale; how negotiated; proceeds appropriated. The Treasurer of State may negotiate the sale of the bonds by direction of the Governor, but no bond may be loaned, pledged or hypothecated on behalf of the State. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds, which must be held by the Treasurer of State and paid by the Treasurer of State upon warrants drawn by the State Controller, are appropriated solely for the purposes set forth in this Part. Any unencumbered balances remaining at the completion of the project in this Part lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds. Sec. 4. Interest and debt retirement. The Treasurer of State shall pay interest due or accruing on any bonds issued under this Part and all sums coming due for payment of bonds at maturity. Sec. 5. Disbursement of bond proceeds from General Fund bond issue. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds authorized under this Part must be expended as designated in the following schedule under the direction and supervision of the agencies and entities set forth in this section. TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF Provides funds to construct, reconstruct or rehabilitate Priority 1, Priority 2 and Priority 3 state highways under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 23, section 73, subsection 7 and associated improvements, for the municipal partnership initiative and to replace and rehabilitate bridges. Total $68,000,000 Provides funds for facilities and equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger railroads, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails that preserve public safety or otherwise have demonstrated high transportation economic value, including property acquisition. Total $17,000,000 Sec. 6. Contingent upon ratification of bond issue. Sections 1 to 5 do not become effective unless the people of the State ratify the issuance of the bonds as set forth in this Part. Sec. 7. Appropriation balances at year-end. At the end of each fiscal year, all unencumbered appropriation balances representing state money carry forward. Bond proceeds that have not been expended within 10 years after the date of the sale of the bonds lapse to the Office of the Treasurer of State to be used for the retirement of general obligation bonds. Sec. 8. Bonds authorized but not issued. Any bonds authorized but not issued within 5 years of ratification of this Part are deauthorized and may not be issued, except that the Legislature may, within 2 years after the expiration of that 5-year period, extend the period for issuing any remaining unissued bonds for an additional amount of time not to exceed 5 years. Sec. 9. Referendum for ratification; submission at election; form of question; effective date. This Part must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this Act. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Part by voting on the following question: "Do you favor an $85,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities and equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $121,500,000 in federal and other funds?" The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns. If a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of this Part, the Governor shall proclaim the result without delay and this Part becomes effective 30 days after the date of the proclamation. The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Part necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.[2] | |||||
Background
Bond measures
Since 2000, seven legislatively referred bond questions related to transportation projects have been voted on by the people of Maine. Voters approved all seven at the ballot box. These measures were the following:
| Bond | Year | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question 3 | 2001 | $61 million | |
| Question 2 | 2005 | $33.1 million | |
| Question 1 | 2007 | $112.98 million | |
| Question 6 | 2009 | $71.25 million | |
| Question 3 | 2010 | $47.8 million | |
| Question 4 | 2012 | $51 million | |
| Question 3 | 2013 | $100 million | |
| Total: | $477.13 million |
Between 2000 and 2014, $477.13 million in transportation-related bonds were approved by voters. If voters approve this year's bond, the total amount for transportation-related bonds for the past 15 years would increase to $562.13 million.
In 2013, the state chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers issued Maine's infrastructure poor grades. The state's roads received a D and the state's bridges a C-. A report from the Maine Department of Transportation found an annual $119 million gap between how much funding roads and bridges receives and how much is needed to maintain them.[3][4][5]
Support
Supporters
The bond measure was sponsored in the legislature by:[6]
- Sen. James Hamper (R-19)
- Sen. Ronald Collins (R-34)
- Sen. William Diamond (D-26)
- Sen. Linda Valentino (D-31)
- Rep. Gay Grant (D-83)
- Rep. Martin Grohman (D-12)
- Rep. Andrew McLean (D-27)
- Rep. Robert Nutting (R-77)
- Rep. Wayne Parry (R-10)
- Rep. Jeffrey Timberlake (R-75)
Other officials who supported the measure include:
- Gov. Paul LePage (R)[7]
- Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt[8]
Arguments in favor
Gov. Paul LePage (R) signed off on the bond issue, arguing:[7]
| “ | This critical investment of $85 million into Maine’s transportation system will assure thousands of contractors and construction workers with long-term job security and continuing paychecks, and in turn will strengthen Maine’s infrastructure and economy. This bond is critical for the State to deliver on its current Work Plan commitments, which keep our transportation system strong.[2] | ” |
Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt said:[9]
| “ | I am confident when asked in November, the voters will continue to allow us to strengthen Maine’s economy and build a transportation system that will benefit generations to come.[2] | ” |
Wayne E. Davis, chairman of Trainriders Northeast, said during a testimony in support of LD 1415:[10]
| “ | Passenger rail continues to need investment in capital projects in order to maintain and improve service in Maine. Included in those projects is the building of a track known as a "wye" which would eliminate the need for the Downeaster to back out from the Portland Transportation Terminal on its way to and from Freeport and Brunswick. In 2014, it was estimated that this project would cost $10 million. A second project is the construction of a siding in Yarmouth which would allow trains to pass one another. Both of these projects are needed to support Downeaster sen/ice north of Portland, and would also benefit possible future service to Lewiston-Auburn. While a portion of the funding for these projects may come from other sources as well, the bond money proposed in this bill would, if used for those projects, go a long way to funding their completion.
TrainRiders would, of course, like to see a bill introduced by the administration which explicitly designates bond money for these and other passenger rail projects. We understand, however, that the lack of such a designation gives MDOT the flexibility to direct this money where it is most needed. Accordingly, TrainRiders supports passage of L.D. 1415.[2] |
” |
Speaking on behalf of the Maine Tourism Association, Carolyn Manson said:[11]
| “ | LD 1415 is a comprehensive transportation infrastructure bond issue and in addition to addressing highways and bridges it also includes facilities and equipment related to harbors, ports, rails, aviation and bicycle and pedestrian trails. These are all necessary elements to a successful tourism industry.
Maine s tourism market is primarily a drive market meaning that the overwhelming majority of our visitors travel to Maine in their vehicles using our highway system to get to their destinations. We bring millions of visitors to Maine and one of the primary reasons our visitors come to Maine is to tour our gorgeous state and experience areas of scenic, cultural or general interest. They come here to relax and enjoy the beauty of Maine, to get off the beaten path and explore our great state. They need and expect a well-maintained transportation system. LD 1415 is designed to help address our transportation infrastructure needs and we urge you to invest in this infrastructure and to support a bond issue that will allow these improvements to be completed.[2] |
” |
Speaking on behalf of the Association of General Contractors about LD 1415, Matthew Marks argued:[12]
| “ | Our industry cannot recruit young people for skilled jobs without consistent and long-term funding solutions. While the other sectors of Maine's economy are growing, the construction industry has only made slight gains, moving the needle to 19% unemployment sine peak in 2006. 45% of the entire construction workforce is over the age of 45. More discouraging is that the number of people younger than 45 in Maine decreased by 70,000 over the last ten years. That means the pool of people is shrinking. Contrary to the belief of many decision-makers construction jobs and opportunities, when the industry is moving are terrific careers. AGC Maine strongly believes that we can do better. But that is dependent upon the appetite for public investment to fix our aging infrastructure - the backbone of our economy.
I encourage each of you support this bill today. While it is unfortunate that we are not talking about a ten-year plan, these bonds address needs already identified in the work plan and secure federal matching dollars when they become available.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Arguments against
Mark W. Anderson, an economist and a writer for the Bangor Daily News, called for an increased fuel tax as opposed to issuing bonds for transportation maintenance. He wrote:[13]
| “ | I don’t think I ever voted against one of these on the ballot and I don’t ever remember one failing to pass. Transportation bonds seem like a good deal and we all know the roads need repair. Still, I might just vote no this time. I am starting to think that borrowing money to fix roads is a bad idea.
It would be better if we were to use the tax on gasoline and diesel fuel to fund our highway repairs and to match Federal funds. It would be fairer, cheaper, and more efficient. Maine weather is obviously a key factor in highway deterioration, but we know we are not going to do anything about that. Wear and tear on highways is also the result of two things we do control – the number of vehicle miles driven over the roads and the weight of the vehicles that make up those miles; heavier vehicles cause more damage. It turns out that the gas and diesel taxes are excellent, if not perfect, ways to reflect those two factors. More miles driven and higher vehicle weights both require more motor fuels, even in today’s more fuel efficient vehicles. So the tax on motor fuels is really not a tax at all, it is a user fee. It asks people to pay for the expenses they exact on the public purse to maintain roads. That is why the tax is fairer than borrowing to fund highway repairs, even though no one likes higher taxes. Bonding to fund highway repairs asks people who do not drive to pay part of the costs for those who do drive. It also subsidizes tourists and other visitors to the state. We pay so they can drive here. A higher gas tax to pay for highway maintenance would also save money. We would not need to pay the costs of issuing general obligation bonds or the costs of interest. While interest rates are low now, “making it a good time to borrow,” they are not zero. The mechanism is in place now to collect gas taxes, so the costs of collecting higher gas taxes is obviously lower than borrowing. … Perhaps it is time to vote no on transportation bonds that are not investments. It is time to be honest with ourselves and ask our Legislators to make the costs of the highway system transparent. It is time for drivers to pay their own way and not ask others to pay those costs for them. Being afraid to do this has turned both tax and spend liberals and fiscal conservatives into borrow and spend Mainers. It is time to pay as we go.[2] |
” |
Campaign finance
Maine Center for Economic Policy was the campaign registered to support the measure.[14]
| Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Support | $41,707.61 | $0.00 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 |
| Oppose | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Total | $41,707.61 | $0.00 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 |
Support
The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.[15]
| Committees in support of Question 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Committee | Cash Contributions | In-Kind Contributions | Total Contributions | Cash Expenditures | Total Expenditures |
| Maine Center for Economic Policy - BQC | $41,707.61 | $0.00 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 |
| Total | $41,707.61 | $0.00 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 | $41,707.61 |
Media editorials
Support
The Bangor Daily News editorial board wrote:[16]
| “ | Question 3 on the Nov. 3 ballot would allow the state to borrow the resources the Maine Department of Transportation needs to continue bringing the state’s most important roads up to snuff. The ballot question proposes an $85 million bond, $68 million of which would fund road work. The remaining $17 million would fund work on other important infrastructure: ports and harbors, public transit, airports, railroads, and pedestrian and bicycle paths.
We urge a “yes” vote. State borrowing represents one critical element of a complicated revenue picture for the Maine Department of Transportation. The agency counts on a particular level of borrowing to allow it to follow through with the rehabilitation and construction projects it has planned across the state. State borrowing accounted for 13 percent of the more than $1 billion the agency used in the last two state fiscal years. The state Highway Fund, which brings in revenue through the gasoline tax, is the single largest revenue source for road work. But the fund has brought in less revenue every year since 2012, after lawmakers stopped indexing it to inflation. The roads slated for investment are the ones most consequential to the greatest numbers of people: They represent 19 percent of Maine’s road mileage but 70 percent of vehicle miles traveled each year. They are the interstate highways, the major roadways that allow traffic and commercial goods to flow from region to region, and the aging bridges that cross over them. Policymakers have much work to do to patch up the transportation funding situation in this state and in this country. Maine voters should approve this bond proposal so essential infrastructure improvements can happen in the interim.[2] |
” |
Oppose
Ballotpedia has not yet found media editorials opposing the measure. If you are aware of an editorial, please email it to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Legislatively-referred state statute
According to Article IX, Section 14 of the Maine Constitution, a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the Maine Legislature was required to put the bond issues before voters.
The Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives passed LD 1415 on June 30, 2015. A vote was not recorded in the Senate. In the House, 134 representatives voted for the bill, 13 voted against and 4 were absent.[6]
June 30, 2015, House vote
| Maine LD 1415 House Vote | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 134 | 88.7% | ||
| No | 13 | 8.6% | ||
Governor Paul LePage (R) signed legislation for the bond issue on July 2, 2015.[17]
State profile
| Demographic data for Maine | ||
|---|---|---|
| Maine | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 1,329,453 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 30,843 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 95% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 1.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.1% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 2% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 1.5% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 91.6% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 29% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $49,331 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 16.6% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Maine. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Maine
Maine voted for the Democratic candidate in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, eight are located in Maine, accounting for 3.88 percent of the total pivot counties.[18]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Maine had seven Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 4.42 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.
More Maine coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Maine
- United States congressional delegations from Maine
- Public policy in Maine
- Endorsers in Maine
- Maine fact checks
- More...
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Maine Legislature, "Legislative Document No. 1415," accessed July 3, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Infrastructure Report Card, "2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure," accessed October 23, 2015
- ↑ Maine Department of Transportation, "MaineDOT Work Plan," accessed October 23, 2015
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Maine’s $100 million questions: Ballot borrowing proposals explained," October 22, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Maine Legislature, "LD 1415 Status," accessed July 2, 2015
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Governor of Maine, "Governor Signs Critical Transportation Bond Bill to Improve Infrastructure and Create Jobs," July 6, 2015
- ↑ Equipment World Magazine, "Maine governor signs law authorizing $85 million transportation bond package," July 7, 2015
- ↑ Land Line, "ELECTION 2015: Maine voters to decide on $85 million in highway bonds," September 29, 2015
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Davis, Wayne Train Riders Northeast," accessed October 23, 2015
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Manson, Carolyn Maine Tourism," accessed October 23, 2015
- ↑ Maine Legislature, "Marks, Matthew Association of General Contractors," accessed October 23, 2015
- ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Maine Roads Stink," July 26, 2015
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedfinance - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedREF - ↑ Bangor Daily News, "Yes on Question 3: Maine’s roads, bridges, transit need this $85 million investment," October 22, 2015
- ↑ Washington Times, "Gov. LePage signs $85M transportation bond proposal," July 2, 2015
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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