AUGUSTA, Maine - Gov. Paul LePage has signed an $85 million bond issue for road and bridge repairs, sending the proposal to the voters for their approval, but he says he will veto a $15 million general obligation bond for senior housing.
LePage says it's a "feel good" bill that is not needed because the Maine State Housing Authority already can issue bonds for senior housing projects.
"They are putting GO (general obligation) money into housing and there is no method for payment," LePage says, "and it's a real dangerous precedent, and I am not going to let it happen."
LePage also says he is worried the bond could jeopardize the state's bond rating.
House Speaker Mark Eves, a Democrat from North Berwick, sponsored the bill that passed with wide bipartisan support in the Legislature. Lawmakers will consider the veto when they reconvene July 16.
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"There is absolutely no need for it; it's just a feel good bill. That bond should be at Maine state housing I don't know why we would risk hurting our bond credit."
