Public hearings to be held on Comprehensive Land Use Plan
LURC will consider the public comments from the hearings and the following comment period as they finalize the comprehensive plan. The plan then will be sent to the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for review and to Gov. Baldacci for review and approval.
• Monday, Sept. 28, 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., at The Senator Inn, Augusta;
• Tuesday Sept. 29, 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., at Ramada Inn, Bangor; and,
• Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1-4:30 p.m. and 6-10 p.m., at Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center, Presque Isle.
Written comments on the proposed plan will be accepted until Oct. 21, with a rebuttal period scheduled through Oct. 28. For more information, visit www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/reference/cluprev/PublicHearings/septemberpublichearings.html.
Order of ballot questions determined
The Maine Secretary of State has randomly determined the order of the four citizen-initiated bills that will appear on the November ballot.
Under Maine law, People’s Veto questions are listed first. Second are citizen-initiated bills, third are bond questions, fourth are referenda sent out by the Legislature and fifth are resolutions to amend the state Constitution.
The order will be:
Question 1: “Do you want to reject the new law that lets same-sex couples marry and allows individuals and religious groups to refuse to perform these marriages?”
Question 2: “Do you want to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax by an average of 55 percent on motor vehicles less than six years old and exempt hybrid and other alternative-energy and highly fuel-efficient motor vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax?”
Question 3: “Do you want to repeal the 2007 law on school district consolidation and restore the laws previously in effect?”
Question 4: “Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes?”
Question 5: “Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?”
Question 6: “Do you favor a $71,250,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, as well as funds for the LifeFlight Foundation that will make the State eligible for over $148,000,000 in federal and other matching funds?”
Question 7: “Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the amount of time that local officials have to certify the signatures on direct initiative petitions?”
Reservation season for state parks ends Sept. 13
The reservation season for Maine state parks, historic sites and public reserve land ends Sept. 13, according to officials from the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL). After Sept. 13, campgrounds are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Off-season rates apply, starting at $10 for Maine residents per night and $18 for non-residents.
Detailed information about state parks, historic sites and public reserve land is available online at www.maine.gov/doc/parks/.
State Rep. Jonathan McKane represents Edgecomb, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol, and Monhegan Plantation, and encourages constituents to send thoughts, ideas, questions and opinions. Contact him for more information on this or any other issue at 563-5427 or by email at Jon@JonMcKane.com.
