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Elections Division
Department of the Secretary of State
101 State House Station, Augusta, Maine 04333-0101
MAINE CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO THE
REFERENDUM ELECTION
Tuesday, November 5, 1996
In Accordance with
the April 16, 1996
Proclamation of the Governor
and with the Acts and Resolutions Passed by
the 117th Legislature at the
Second Regular Session
and the Second Special Session
Bill Diamond
Secretary of State
Appropriation 010-29A-3213-012
State of Maine
Office of the Secretary of State
Augusta, Maine 04333
Dear Fellow Citizen,
All eligible Maine residents may vote in the referendum election
on November 5, 1996. The information in this booklet is intended
to help you learn about the issues so that you can make your own,
well-informed decisions about how to vote.
Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of
public participation in Maine, so I hope you will help keep our
democracy strong by voting. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt
said:
"Let us never forget that government is ourselves
and not an alien power over us. The ultimate
rulers of our democracy are not a President and
Senators and Congressmen and government officials,
but the voters of this country."
For information about how or where you vote, you may contact your
local municipal clerk or call Maine's Division of Elections at
287-4186.
Now, in the online version of this booklet you will find:
- Each of the eight referendum questions.
- A summary of the intent and content of the legislation.
- An explanation of the significance of a "yes" or "no" vote.
- An analysis of the debt service on each bond issue.
The Department of the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer and
the Attorney General have worked together to prepare this booklet
for you. We hope you find it helpful and that you will vote in
the November 5, 1996 referendum election.
Sincerely,
Bill Diamond
Secretary of State
STATE OF MAINE
Referendum Election, November 5, 1996
LISTING OF REFERENDUM QUESTIONS
Note: in the paper version of this Intent and Content document,
the full texts of statutory and constitutional language changes
surrounding the following questions are reproduced. They are not
a part of this online version.
Question 1: Citizen Initiative
Do you want Maine to require candidates and elected officials to
show support for Congressional term limits or have their refusal
printed on the ballot?
Question 2A: Citizen Initiative
Do you want Maine to ban clearcutting and set other new logging
standards?
Question 2B: Competing Measure
Do you want the Compact for Maine's Forests to become law to
promote sustainable forest management practices throughout the
State?
Question 2C: Against A and B
Against both the Citizen Initiative and the Competing Measure.
Question 3: Citizen Initiative
Do you want Maine to adopt new campaign finance laws and give
public funding to candidates for state office who agree to
spending limits?
Question 4: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $3,000,000 bond issue to make capital improvements
at state parks and historic sites?
Total Estimated Debt Service of $3,427,500, of which Principal
is $3,000,000, Estimated Interest at 4.75% over 5 years is $427,500.
Question 5: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $16,500,000 bond issue for the following purposes:
(1) $2,500,000 to investigate, abate and clean up threats to the
public health and the environment from hazardous substance
discharges; (2) $5,000,000 to protect the public health, safety
and the environment by providing funds for the cleanup of tire
stockpiles; and (3) $9,000,000 to protect the State's drinking
water resources by granting funds to cities and towns for the
closure and cleanup of their solid waste landfills?
Total Estimated Debt Service of $21,355,125, of which
Principal is $16,500,000, Estimated Interest at 5.35% over
10 years is $4,855,125.
Question 6: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $11,000,000 bond issue to encourage job growth and
economic vitality by providing access to capital for agricultural
enterprises and small businesses with a significant potential for
growth and job creation?
Total Estimated Debt Service of $14,236,750, of which
Principal is $11,000,000, Estimated Interest at 5.35% over 10
years is $3,236,750.
Question 7: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue for the following purposes:
(1) $8,000,000 to construct water pollution control facilities,
providing the state match for $10,000,000 in federal funds; and
(2) $2,000,000 to address environmental health deficiencies in
drinking water supplies?
Total Estimated Debt Service of $12,942,500, of which
Principal is $10,000,000, Estimated Interest at 5.35% over 10
years is $2,942,500.
Question 8: Constitutional Amendment
Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that a
direct initiative petition be submitted to local officials
earlier than is presently required in order to allow 5 working
days rather than 2 working days for local officials to certify
the petition?
Treasurer's Statement
The issuing of bonds by the State of Maine is the way in which
the State borrows money for purposes designated in the legislation
authorizing the issue. The following is a summary of the bonded
indebtedness of the State of Maine as of June 30, 1996.
Bonds Outstanding and Unpaid to Mature Through 2008
Highway fund $144,440,000
General fund $371,250,000
Total $515,690,000
Interest to be Repaid on Bonds Issued Highway fund $ 36,025,634
General fund $ 83,251,188
Total $119,276,822
Total to be Repaid on Bonds Issued $634,966,822
Additional Bonds Authorized But Not Yet Issued $ 50,750,000
Limit of Contingent Bonds Liability Authorized by
Constitution and Laws But Unissued $ 99,000,000
Total Bonds Authorized But Unissued $149,750,000
Total Additional Bonds to be Authorized
if Ratified by Voters $ 40,500,000
Potential New Estimate of Interest $ 11,461,875
When money is borrowed by issuing bonds, the State must repay not
only the principal amount of the bonds but interest on the amount
as well. The amount of interest to be paid will vary depending
upon the rate of interest and the years of maturity at the time
of issuance; an estimate of the total interest that may
reasonably be expected to be paid on the issues submitted
herewith for ratification is $11,461,875 if the bonds are issued
for the full statutory debt retirement period. The total
principal and interest to be repaid over the life of the bonds on
the issues submitted herewith if ratified is thus estimated to be
$51,961,875. The amount that must be paid in the present fiscal
year (July 1, 1996 to June 30, 1997) for debt already outstanding
is $88,180,000 in principal and $27,618,607 in interest, a total
of $115,798,607.
Samuel D. Shapiro
Treasurer of State
Question 1: Citizen Initiative
Do you want Maine to require candidates and elected officials
to show support for Congressional term limits or have their
refusal printed on the ballot?
Proclamation
WHEREAS, written petitions bearing the signatures of 54,889
electors of this State, which number is in excess of ten percent
of the total vote cast in the last gubernatorial election
preceding the filing of such petitions, as required by Article
IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the Constitution of Maine, were
addressed to the Legislature of the State of Maine and were filed
in the office of the Secretary of State within twenty-five days
after the convening of the One Hundred and Seventeenth
Legislature in the Second Regular Session, requesting that the
Legislature consider an act entitled "An Act to Seek
Congressional Term Limits"; and
WHEREAS, on March 22, 1996, the Maine House of
Representatives accepted the Unanimous Ought Not to Pass Report
of the Joint Standing Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs on
the initiated act, known as Legislative Document 1827; and
WHEREAS, on March 22, 1996, the Maine Senate accepted the
Unanimous Ought Not to Pass Report of the Joint Standing
Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs on the initiated act,
known as Legislative Document 1827; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the Maine
Constitution provides that the Governor shall, by proclamation,
order an initiated bill proposed to, but not enacted by, the
Legislature without change to the people for referendum in
November within 10 days following the recess of the Legislature
to which the measure was proposed and, in the event that the
Governor fails to order the bill to referendum, requires the
Secretary of State to do so by proclamation; and
WHEREAS, Governor King is not physically present in the
State of Maine to sign the proclamation on April 16, 1996, due to
a death in his family, the Governor has requested the Secretary
of State to undertake the necessary proclamation within the 10
day period contemplated by the Constitution on behalf of the
Governor and in full compliance with the constitutional mandate;
NOW THEREFORE, I, BILL DIAMOND, Secretary of State of the
State of Maine, at the request of the Governor and in pursuance
of the provisions of Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the
Constitution of Maine, do hereby proclaim that an election shall
be called for Tuesday, November 5, 1996, so that "An Act to Seek
Congressional Term Limits" may be submitted to the people of this
State for a referendum vote.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused the Great Seal of the
State to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at Augusta
this Sixteenth day of April in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred
and Ninety-Six.
BILL DIAMOND
Secretary of State
Intent and Content
This initiated legislation seeks to impose term limits of 3 terms
(6 years) for the United States House of Representatives and 2
terms (12 years) for the United States Senate in five ways:
- It would direct the Maine Legislature to apply to the United
States Congress to call a constitutional convention, pursuant to
Article V of the United States Constitution, for the purpose of
enacting an amendment to the United States Constitution imposing
Congressional term limits.
- It would direct each member of Maine's Congressional
delegation to vote for a constitutional amendment establishing
Congressional term limits.
- It would require the Secretary of State to print on any
election ballot the phrase "VIOLATED VOTER INSTRUCTION ON TERM
LIMITS" next to the name of any member of the Maine Legislature
or any Governor who fails to use all of his or her powers to
secure passage of an application to the United States Congress
for a constitutional convention to establish Congressional term
limits.
- It would require the Secretary of State to print on any
election ballot the phrase "VIOLATED VOTER INSTRUCTION ON TERM
LIMITS" next to the name of any member of the Maine Congressional
delegation who fails to use all of his or her legislative powers
to cause the United States Congress to pass an amendment to the
United States Constitution imposing Congressional term limits.
- It would require the Secretary of State to print on any
election ballot the phrase "REFUSED TO PLEDGE TO SUPPORT TERM
LIMITS" next to the name of any candidate for Governor, the Maine
Legislature or the United States Congress who fails to sign a
form pledging to use all of his or her powers to secure passage
of an amendment to the United States Constitution imposing
Congressional term limits.
A "YES" vote approves the initiative.
A "NO" vote disapproves the initiative.
Question 2A: Citizen Initiative
Do you want Maine to ban clearcutting and set other new logging standards?
Proclamation
WHEREAS, written petitions bearing the signatures of
54,968 electors of this State, which number is in excess of ten
percent of the total vote cast in the last gubernatorial election
preceding the filing of such petitions, as required by Article
IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the Constitution of Maine, were
addressed to the Legislature of the State of Maine and were filed
in the office of the Secretary of State within twenty-five days
after the convening of the One Hundred and Seventeenth
Legislature in the Second Regular Session, requesting that the
Legislature consider an act entitled "An Act to Promote Forest
Rehabilitation and Eliminate Clearcutting"; and
WHEREAS, on March 26, 1996, the Maine House of Representatives
accepted the Unanimous Ought Not to Pass Report of the Joint
Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
on the initiated act, known as Legislative Document 1819; and
WHEREAS, on March 25, 1996, the Maine Senate accepted the
Unanimous Ought Not to Pass Report of the Joint Standing
Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry on the
initiated act, known as Legislative Document 1819; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the Maine
Constitution provides that the Governor shall, by proclamation,
order an initiated bill proposed to, but not enacted by, the
Legislature without change to the people for referendum in
November within 10 days following the recess of the Legislature
to which the measure was proposed and, in the event that the
Governor fails to order the bill to referendum, requires the
Secretary of State to do so by proclamation; and
WHEREAS, Governor King is not physically present in the
State of Maine to sign the proclamation on April 16, 1996, due to
a death in his family, the Governor has requested the Secretary
of State to undertake the necessary proclamation within the 10
day period contemplated by the Constitution on behalf of the
Governor and in full compliance with the constitutional mandate;
NOW THEREFORE, I, BILL DIAMOND, Secretary of State of the
State of Maine, at the request of the Governor and in pursuance
of the provisions of Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the
Constitution on Maine, do hereby proclaim that an election shall
be called for Tuesday, November 5, 1996, so that "An Act to
Promote Forest Rehabilitation and Eliminate Clearcutting" may be
submitted to the people of this State for a referendum vote.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused the Great Seal of the
State to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at Augusta
this Sixteenth day of April in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred
and Ninety-Six.
BILL DIAMOND
Secretary of State
Question 2B: Competing Measure
Do you want the Compact for Maine's Forests to become law
to promote sustainable forest management practices throughout
the State?
Intent and Content
CLEARCUTTING ISSUE
2A Do you want Maine to ban clearcutting and set other new
logging standards?
2B Do you want the Compact for Maine's Forests to become law
to promote sustainable forest management practices
throughout the State?
2C Against both measures.
This referendum requires the voters to choose among a proposed
law initiated by petition (2A), a competing measure approved
by the Legislature for submittal to the voters (2B), or to
reject both (2C).
2A CITIZEN INITIATIVE
AN ACT to Promote Forest Rehabilitation and Eliminate Clearcutting
This initiated legislation would prohibit the removal, in any
15-year period, of more that 1/3 of the volume of trees of 4.5
inches and greater in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground on
any acre in the jurisdiction of the Land Use Regulation
Commission, primarily the unorganized territories and plantations
of the State, and would impose standards for the amount, location,
health and diversity of trees that must remain standing after
a harvesting operation in that area. The initiative would
also prohibit the clearcutting of trees in the Commission's
jurisdiction resulting in a stand totaling less than 30 square
feet per acre of trees 4.5 inches and greater in diameter at 4.5
feet above the ground, and would impose additional requirements
regarding delimbing and slash disposal.
2B COMPETING MEASURE
RESOLUTION, Proposing a Competing Measure under the
Constitution to Implement the Compact for Maine's Forests
This resolution, approved by the Legislature for submittal
to the voters as a competing measure to the citizen initiative
described above, would direct the Commissioner of Conservation to
adopt statewide rules governing timber harvesting in Maine and
would establish a voluntary audit program, whereby landowners
would attempt to achieve certain benchmarks of forest
sustainability and biodiversity on their lands, thereby
potentially qualifying for an exemption from the Commissioner's
rules. The rules would be provisionally adopted by the
Commissioner by May 1, 1997 and subsequently reviewed by the
Legislature.
The resolution also would require landowners to get a permit
by rule from the Commissioner before doing any clearcutting. To
get a permit, a landowner would have to certify that the
clearcutting was justified by sound forestry management
practices. There would be certain exemptions to this permit
requirement. Clearcutting with a permit would be subject to
certain limits on size, nearness to other clearcuts and total
area for each ownership. The Commissioner would also be required
to adopt rules regarding forest regeneration after a timber
harvest. The resolution also would permit municipalities to
adopt timber harvesting ordinances that are stricter than the
State's rules. Municipalities would be subject to certain limits
on their actions and would be required to notify landowners and
the Commissioner before adopting ordinances stricter than the
State's rules.
In addition, the resolution would provide for the
establishment of an ecological forest reserve system for the
protection of certain state-owned lands from timber harvesting.
It would also direct the Governor, by April 1, 1997, upon receipt
of a report from the Maine Forest Service, to submit to the
Legislature a proposal to restrict excessive timber harvesting on
lands held for less than 10 years. Finally, the resolution would
direct the Maine Forest Service to provide for increased
environmental education on forestry issues for the general
public.
2C AGAINST BOTH THE CITIZEN INITIATIVE AND THE COMPETING
MEASURE
A vote for Option 2A approves the citizen initiative.
A vote for Option 2B approves the competing measure.
A vote for Option 2C rejects both the citizen initiative and
the competing measure.
Question 3: Citizen Initiative
Do you want Maine to adopt new campaign finance laws and give
public funding to candidates for state office who agree to
spending limits?
Proclamation
WHEREAS, written petitions bearing the signatures of 59,563
electors of this State, which number is in excess of ten percent
of the total vote cast in the last gubernatorial election
preceding the filing of such petitions, as required by Article
IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the Constitution of Maine, were
addressed to the Legislature of the State of Maine and were filed
in the office of the Secretary of State within twenty-five days
after the convening of the One Hundred and Seventeenth
Legislature in the Second Regular Session, requesting that the
Legislature consider an act entitled "An Act to Reform Campaign
Finance"; and
WHEREAS, on March 28, 1996, the Maine House of Representatives
accepted the Majority Ought Not to Pass Report of the Joint Standing
Committee on Legal and Veterans Affairs on the initiated act, known
as Legislative Document 1823; and
WHEREAS, on March 29, 1996, the Maine Senate accepted the
Minority Ought to Pass Report of the Joint Standing Committee on
Legal and Veterans Affairs on the initiated act, known as
Legislative Document 1823; and
WHEREAS, on April 1, 1996, the initiated act, known as
Legislative Document 1823, died between the Houses for lack of
concurrence; and
WHEREAS, Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the Maine
Constitution provides that the Governor shall, by proclamation,
order an initiated bill proposed to, but not enacted by, the
Legislature without change to the people for referendum in
November within 10 days following the recess of the Legislature
to which the measure was proposed and, in the event that the
Governor fails to order the bill to referendum, requires the
Secretary of State to do so by proclamation; and
WHEREAS, Governor King is not physically present in the
State of Maine to sign the proclamation on April 16, 1996, due to
a death in his family, the Governor has requested the Secretary
of State to undertake the necessary proclamation within the 10
day period contemplated by the Constitution on behalf of the
Governor and in full compliance with the constitutional mandate;
NOW THEREFORE, I, BILL DIAMOND, Secretary of State of the
State of Maine, at the request of the Governor and in pursuance
of the provisions of Article IV, Part Third, Section 18, of the
Constitution of Maine, do hereby proclaim that an election shall
be called for Tuesday, November 5, 1996, so that "An Act to
Reform Campaign Finance" may be submitted to the people of this
State for a referendum vote.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused the Great Seal of the
State to be hereunto affixed. Given under my hand at Augusta
this Sixteenth day of April in the year One Thousand Nine Hundred
and Ninety-Six.
BILL DIAMOND
Secretary of State
Intent and Content
This initiated legislation would enact the Maine Clean Election
Act, under which candidates running for the offices of Governor,
State Senator and State Representative in the elections of the
year 2000 and thereafter may choose to have their campaigns
funded publicly by the Maine Clean Election Fund. In
order to qualify for public funding, candidates for Governor
would have to receive contributions between $5 and $100 up to a
maximum of $50,000 from at least 2,500 Maine voters at the
beginning of an election year; candidates for State Senator
would have to receive contributions between $5 and $100 up to a
maximum of $1,500 from at least 150 voters within the applicable
Senate district; and candidates for State Representative would
have to receive contributions between $5 and $100 up to a maximum
of $500 from at least 50 voters within the applicable House
district. Once qualified, a candidate could not receive any
further contributions, but must finance his or her campaign
solely from distributions from the Fund. The amount of those
distributions would be the average amount of campaign
expenditures for the office in question for the preceding 2
contested primaries, uncontested primaries, or contested general
elections, as applicable. The Fund would be funded by an annual
transfer of $2 million from state income and sales tax revenues
(to be offset by reductions in administrative divisions in the
legislative and executive branches) and a voluntary $3 state
income tax checkoff, as well as unspent past distributions,
voluntary contributions and fines imposed for violations of the
Act and the campaign reporting laws.
The Act and Fund would be administered by the Commission on
Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices, which would become a
5 member body appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the
Legislature. The Commission would receive increased funding for
its administration and enforcement of the campaign and lobbyist
reporting laws from an increase in the annual registration fee
for lobbying from $200 to $400 for a principal lobbyist and $100
to $200 for a lobbyist associate.
The initiative would also reduce permitted campaign
contributions (now $1,000 for each individual and $5,000 for each
corporation or political action committee) to $500 for any
election for Governor and $250 for any other state or county
election.
A "YES" vote approves the initiative.
A "NO" vote disapproves the initiative.
Question 4: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $3,000,000 bond issue to make capital
improvements at state parks and historic sites?
Intent and Content
This Act would authorize the State to issue bonds in an amount
not to exceed $3,000,000 to raise funds for major improvements at
state parks and historic facilities, specifically renovations
needed to make state parks and historic sites accessible to
people with disabilities according to standards set by state and
federal law, completion of the roof and masonry restoration at
Fort Knox State Historic Site, and the replacement of Churchill
Dam in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The bonds would run for
a period of not longer than 5 years from the date of issue and
would be backed by the full faith and credit of the State.
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds would be expended by the
Bureau of Public Lands of the Department of Conservation for
major improvements at state parks and historic facilities.
If approved, the bond authorization would take effect 30 days
after the Governors proclamation of the vote.
A statement of the Treasurer describing the financial
considerations of this bond issue is published together with this
statement.
A "YES" vote approves the authorization of a $3,000,000 bond
issue for major improvements at state parks and historic
facilities.
A "NO" vote disapproves the bond issue.
Total Estimated Debt Service of $3,427,500, of which Principal is
$3,000,000, Estimated Interest at 4.75% over 5 years is $427,500.
Question 5: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $16,500,000 bond issue for the following
purposes: (1) $2,500,000 to investigate, abate and clean up
threats to the public health and the environment from hazardous
substance discharges; (2) $5,000,000 to protect the public
health, safety and the environment by providing funds for the
cleanup of tire stockpiles; and (3) $9,000,000 to protect the
State's drinking water resources by granting funds to cities and
towns for the closure and cleanup of their solid waste
landfills?
Intent and Content
This Act would authorize the State to issue bonds in an amount
not to exceed $16,500,000 to raise funds to investigate, abate
and clean up threats to public health and the environment from
hazardous substance discharges, to clean up tire stockpiles and
to close and clean municipal solid waste landfills. The bonds
would run for a period of not longer than 10 years and would be
backed by the full faith and credit of the State.
Proceeds of the sale of the bonds would be expended under the
direction of the Department of Environmental Protection for the
investigation, abatement, clean up and mitigation of threats to
public health and the environment from hazardous substance
discharges ($2,500,000); the abatement of public health, safety
and environmental hazards posed by tire stockpiles, including
activities that reduce the number of stockpiled tires in the
State ($5,000,000); and the reimbursement for all outstanding
municipal solid waste landfill closure and remediation expenses,
with any remaining proceeds to be allocated for municipal solid
waste landfill site evaluation and planning and a municipal
grants program for implementation of new landfill closure and
clean-up plans ($9,000,000).
If approved, the bond authorization would take effect 30 days
after the Governor's proclamation of the vote.
A statement of the Treasurer describing the financial
considerations of this bond issue is published together with this
statement.
A "YES" vote approves the authorization of a $16,500,000 bond
issue to investigate, abate and clean up threats to public
health and the environment from hazardous substance discharges,
to clean up the stockpiles and to close and clean up municipal
solid waste landfills.
A "NO" vote disapproves the bond issue.
Total Estimated Debt Service of $21,355,125, of which Principal
is $16,500,000, Estimated Interest at 5.35% over 10 years is
$4,855,125.
Question 6: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $11,000,000 bond issue to encourage job growth
and economic vitality by providing access to capital for
agricultural enterprises and small businesses with a significant
potential for growth and job creation?
Intent and Content
This Act would authorize the State to issue bonds in an amount
not to exceed $11,000,000 to raise funds for the capitalization
of the Small Enterprise Growth Fund and the Agricultural
Marketing Loan Fund to provide disbursements to enterprises in
critical stages of development. The bonds would run for a period
of not longer than 10 years from the date of issue and would be
backed by the full faith and credit of the State.
The proceeds of the sale of the bonds would be expended by the
Finance Authority of Maine from the Small Enterprise Growth Fund
($5,000,000) and the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund ($6,000,000).
If approved, the bond authorization would take effect 30 days
after the Governor's proclamation of the vote.
A statement of the Treasurer describing the financial
considerations of this bond issue is published together with this
statement.
A "YES" vote approves the authorization of a $11,000,000 bond
issue for the Small Enterprise Growth Fund and the Agricultural
Marketing Loan Fund to provide disbursements to enterprises in
critical stages of growth.
A "NO" vote disapproves the bond issue.
Total Estimated Debt Service of $14,236,750, of which
Principal is $11,000,000, Estimated Interest at 5.35% over 10
years is $3,236,750.
Question 7: Bond Issue
Do you favor a $10,000,000 bond issue for the following
purposes: (1) $8,000,000 to construct water pollution control
facilities, providing the state match for $10,000,000 in federal
funds; and (2) $2,000,000 to address environmental health
deficiencies in drinking water supplies?
Intent and Content
This Act would authorize the State to issue bonds in an amount
not to exceed $10,000,000 to raise funds to construct water
pollution control facilities and to address environmental health
deficiencies in drinking water supplies. The bonds would run for
a period of not longer than 10 years and would be backed by the
full faith and credit of the State.
Proceeds of the sale of the bonds would be expended as follows:
$8,000,000 under the direction of the Department of Environmental
Protection for the construction of water pollution control
facilities to provide the State match for $10,000,000 in federal
funds, and $2,000,000 under the direction of the Department of
Human Services to address environmental health deficiencies in
drinking water supplies.
If approved, the bond authorization would take effect 30 days
after the Governors proclamation of the vote.
A statement of the Treasurer describing the financial
considerations of this bond issue is published together with this
statement.
A "YES" vote approves the authorization of a $10,000,000 bond
issue for the construction of water pollution control facilities
and to address environmental health deficiencies in drinking
water supplies.
A "NO" vote disapproves the bond issue.
Total Estimated Debt Service of $12,942,500, of which Principal
is $10,000,000, Estimated Interest at 5.35% over 10 years is
$2,942,500.
Question 8: Constitutional Amendment
Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require that
a direct initiative petition be submitted to local officials
earlier than is presently required in order to allow 5 working
days rather than 2 working days for local officials to certify
the petition?
Intent and Content
This proposed constitutional amendment would amend the direct
initiative provisions of the Maine Constitution to increase from
2 to 5 the number of working days that local officials would have
to certify that the signatures on an initiative petition are
those of registered voters. The amendment would also require
that initiators file their petitions with such officials 10 days
prior to the date on which they must file their certified
petitions with the Secretary of State (unless the 10th day is a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday), rather than 3 days prior to
that date (unless the 3rd day is a legal holiday) as currently
required.
A "YES" vote approves the constitutional amendment.
A "NO" vote disapproves the amendment.
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