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Local school cuts also restored
March 4, 2009
AUGUSTA – Bangor State Reps. James Martin, Sara Stevens, Adam Goode and Steven Butterfield announced today that the Maine Department of Transportation has given the green light to construction projects on Broadway and Hogan Road, which received a portion of the federal recovery package funds that were sent to Maine. The newly elected Bangor representatives also expressed relief that the cuts to local schools will now be halted because of federal dollars.
“The announcement of these construction plans should come as welcome news to Bangor residents,” said Goode. “Repairing our roads and bridges revitalizes our transportation infrastructure, maintains our quality of life and creates jobs at the same time.”
The Transportation Department identified a number of projects around the state that were highest on its priority list and is ready to begin construction as soon as the bidding process is complete. The state has set a goal of completing all projects during the upcoming construction season.
In addition, the difficult cuts made to the Bangor school budgets by Gov. John Baldacci and the Legislature at the beginning of this year will be restored. While the upcoming biennial budget for fiscal year 2009 to 2011 will still have to close an $838 million budget gap, support for schools will not drop further and there will be a one-time infusion of federal dollars from other parts of the recovery package.
“Bangor has some of the best schools in the state and I’m very happy to see the education cuts restored,” said Martin. “Continuing to educate our kids at a high level is vital to the Bangor community. By investing in infrastructure and energy efficiencies we strengthen our schools and save taxpayers money down the road.”
Further information about how the recovery package funds will be invested will be coming out in the following weeks.
Contact:
Rep. James Martin, 942-7681
Rep. Sara Stevens, 942-8900
Rep. Adam Goode, 991-7000
Rep. Steven Butterfield, 242-7270
Kyle Leighton, Communications Director, 287-1433