By Steve Mistler, staff writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — About $6.5 million in voter-approved bonds for the Land for Maine’s Future program that Gov. Paul LePage withheld as a political bargaining chip have effectively expired, imperiling some conservation projects funded by the program. Director Sarah Demers told LMF board members Tuesday that although Read More
Land for Maine's Future & Conservation
NRCM has been involved in the Land for Maine's Future (LMF) program for many years. Maine voters have approved land bonds six times since 1987.
LMF funding has protected public lands, working farms, working waterfronts, and more in all 16 Maine counties. Conserving public access to special places is important to the mission of the Natural Resources Council of Maine. We will continue to push to ensure funding for LMF and its role in protecting lands for conservation, recreation, carbon sequestration and storage, and wildlife habitat.
Lawmakers Should Take Bonds Out of LePage’s Hands
The governor’s overuse of political leverage creates a system of unchecked one-man rule. By The Editorial Board Maine Sunday Telegram editorial Nineteen bills that Gov. LePage did not veto dominated last week’s political news, but that should not distract attention from a single bill that he did veto. L.D. 1378, sponsored by Republican Sen. Roger Read More
LePage Vetoes Land for Maine’s Future Bond Bill
The measure seeks to force him to issue bonds for the conservation program. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — As expected, Gov. Paul LePage vetoed a bill Tuesday aimed at forcing him to sell $11.4 million in bonds for the Land for Maine’s Future program that he has been Read More
Lawmakers Must Hold Firm to Put Land for Maine’s Future Back on Track
Bangor Daily News editorial Lawmakers have taken strong stands on two important issues in recent weeks, pushing back against an obstinate governor to put two programs — Land for Maine’s Future and Efficiency Maine — back on track. We’d like to see lawmakers continue to stand firm against a governor who is demonstrating no interest Read More
Bill Passed by House and Senate would Force LePage to Sell Conservation Bonds
The bill, sponsored by a Republican senator, is a response to the governor’s decision to withhold bonds from a state conservation program as leverage with lawmakers. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA — A bill that would force Gov. Paul LePage to sell voter-approved bonds received strong bipartisan support in Read More
Legislature Gives Veto-proof Approval to Bill that would Force LePage to Issue Bonds
By Christopher Cousins, BDN Staff Bangor Daily News news story AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage’s blockage of voter-approved bonds, which he has used several times during his tenure in attempts to force his will on the Legislature, received significant pushback Thursday when the Senate voted 26-9 and the House voted 102-48 for a bill Read More
Legislator Offers Deal to Resolve Land Bonds Standoff
The compromise would funnel money to both land conservation projects and Gov. LePage’s heating assistance program. By Kevin Miller, Staff Writer Portland Press Herald news story AUGUSTA – A House Democratic leader is trying to thaw the political freeze on the Land for Maine’s Future program by proposing a bond package to fund both land Read More
LePage’s Investigation of Land for Maine’s Future Would be a Waste
By The BDN Editorial Board Bangor Daily News editorial At his rant-filled press conference Friday, Gov. Paul LePage said he was launching an investigation of the Land for Maine’s Future program. The governor has refused to sign off on bonds to fund projects that have already been approved by LMF, putting dozens of land conservation Read More
LePage: Stalling Conservation Bonds Helps ‘Poor’ in Battle with ‘Rich’
By John Swinconeck, The Times Record Times Record news story reprinted on bangordailynews.com BRUNSWICK, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage on Monday clarified the reasoning behind why he ordered an investigation into the Land for Maine’s Future program. “Just rumors. When you hear a lot of chatter, look into it,” said LePage, speaking after an assembly at Read More
