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This election day, there are several state ballot issues that deserve our attention. Last week, we expressed support for Question 1, which will allow the Passamaquoddy tribe to run a racino in Washington County, part of its proceeds to support health care, education, and other programs in that cash-strapped county.
Questions 2 and 3 are seen by many to be linked. Question 2 is a bond issue that will stimulate economic development in Maine through R&D for specific technology sectors. Question 3 is a bond measure that will allow renovations, improvements, and repairs to Maine’s community colleges and universities, refund the school renovation fund, and support capital improvements for cultural institutions, such as libraries, historical sites, and museums. They are linked because in order to provide skilled workers for the emergent technology industries, the community colleges, in particular, must be upgraded. Maine’s economy is changing, from an old industrial base to a 21st century technology base, along with the rest of the country. However, many businesses that work in such technologies skip Maine, because we do not have enough skilled workers to allow these businesses to thrive. With monies available for economic development, and improvements to colleges that will allow more students to participate in those businesses that are generated, Maine will be poised to compete in the national and global marketplace. We urge a yes vote on Questions 2 and 3.
Question 4 is a bond issue that will provide money for land conservation, water access, farmland and working waterfront, and will invest in state parks and other recreational areas. Our greatest treasure, and our greatest economic draw, is our pristine environment. Land for Maine’s Future is a public investment, but a sound one. We have already received strong returns on our money when land and working waterfront is preserved. Vote yes on Question 4.
Question 5 would raise term limits from four to six terms for legislators. We are facing critical issues in our state, and it is vital to have legislators who are not learning about these issues as part of on the job training. Longer term limits would allow legislators to become fully conversant with the issues they are dealing with, and follow a bill from its initial concept through its implementation and refinement. Besides, if a legislator is not doing his or her job, we already have a means to “limit” his or her term ... it’s called the vote. We urge a yes vote on Question 5.
Remember that voting day is Tuesday, November 6!
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