AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage says voters got it right when they approved $85 million in bonds for transportation projects across the state, but says they made a mistake in approving $15 million in bonds for senior housing.
"Well, I think it's going to hurt our credit rating, that's the problem," LePage says. "Housing bonds, the people who buy housing bonds and people who buy general obligation bonds are usually different people, they are a different market."
The governor did not say whether he would sign off on the sale of the bonds and that concerns House Speaker Mark Eves, a Democrat from North Berwick that sponsored the bond. He says the voters believe the bonds are needed, so the governor should follow the will of the voters. The bond passed by a nearly two to one margin.
"For the governor to suggest that the voters made a mistake last night really is a slap in the face of those Mainers that did vote to support Maine seniors," Eves says. "The governor needs to release these bonds."
