As we move into autumn and the days become crisper, I’m reminded that winter is coming and what follows is a spring of frost heaves and pot holes. Each year, poor road conditions cost Mainers roughly $500 per person, on average, for additional car maintenance repairs.
As House chair of the Legislature’s Transportation Committee, I know that the Maine Department of Transportation works hard to maintain the roads throughout our state. Maine people know that it costs money to maintain and invest in our transportation system, but most people believe in the importance of these investments.
On November 7, voters in Gorham and across Maine will have the opportunity to vote on a transportation bond, which will be listed as Question 3 on the ballot. Question 3 will invest $105 million in Maine’s infrastructure to make critical safety updates.
By having safer roads, the rate of car accidents is reduced and we keep our vehicles in better condition longer. Businesses across the state, small and large, rely on our roads and bridges to both get the materials they need and to move their products across the state. Maine employers depend on Maine’s roads and bridges to get their employees to and from their jobs safely.
Ensuring our roads and bridges are maintained and safe is also important to Maine’s tourism industry. Last year nearly 36 million tourists visited Maine, 87 percent of whom drove to and around the state. The Maine Tourism Association found that 10.3 million people visited Maine last fall alone and spent roughly 1.6 billion dollars, a significant amount of money for small businesses across the state.
Maine draws a large number of “leaf peepers” who travel Maine roads to take in the changing colors and incred- ible scenic views—from Aroostook State Park to Grafton Notch and Mount Battie to the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway. It is vital for Maine’s economy that we keep our roads and bridges well maintained and safe.
The referendum is another opportunity for the state to make core investments in critical infrastructure and support the literal foundations of our economy for generations to come.
Also on the ballot this fall will be two citizen initiatives and a state constitutional amendment. The Maine Secretary of State has created a helpful guide to explain what voters will be deciding on. You can find that guide here. If you aren’t sure you’ll be able to make it to the polls on November 7, absentee ballots are now available. You can request one in person or by phone with the town office or electronically on the Secretary of State’s website.
On a related note, the Maine Legislature will be reconvening for one day later this month to address several issues that legislative committees have been working on over the summer. The issues we will be taking up include, but are not limited to, the implementation of marijuana legalization, the funding of several state agencies, food sovereignty and voter-approved ranked choice voting. I will keep you updated on the special session and what we plan to take up as we get closer to that date.
As always, please feel free to contact me with your questions or if you are having trouble navigating state agencies. I hope you have the opportunity to get out and enjoy this beautiful fall weather.
(207) 939-8482 | (800) 423-2900 | andrew.mclean@legislature.maine.gov