PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (WAGM) – This week we are taking a look at the five referendum questions on this year’s ballot. Question 2 on this year’s referendum is a research and development bond question. It states…“Do you favor a bond issue of $25,000,000 to provide funds, to be awarded through a competitive process and to leverage matching private and federal funds on at least a one-to-one basis, for research and development and commercialization for Maine-based public and private institutions in support of technological innovation in the targeted sectors of life sciences and biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials and precision manufacturing?” Voting yes on this question would issue a bond of $25 million, to be released in a competitive process, to public and private organizations throughout Maine.
Shenna Bellows the Secretary of State says, “The question itself is very clear about what areas of research and development and commercialization for Maine public and private institutions would be supported and it highlights support of technological innovation in targeted sectors of life sciences, biomedical technology, environmental and renewable energy technology, information technology, advanced technologies for forestry and agriculture, aquaculture and marine technology, composites and advanced materials, and precision manufacturing.”
Bond questions, like question 2, originate in the legislature and go through a lengthy process. Secretary Bellows, “Legislatures often propose various borrowing initiatives to fund infrastructure that they prioritize and there’s a very competitive process. So, there is a public hearing. Members of the public, interest groups, organizations, businesses can provide testimony for or against a bond question. Then there are committee votes by the appropriations committee and the committee of jurisdiction and then finally full votes in the legislature in both the house and the senate, so this is a question that received bipartisan support and support in both the house and the senate and then the final step is going to the voters.” Voters are encouraged to educate themselves about each question before casting a ballot.
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