Summary and Critical Info
Update 2-16-12: In a split vote at the work session on 1671, the Transportation Committee voted to pass the bill. Chris submitted additional testimony but was not asked to speak:
It now moves into the legislature. We believe that our hard work together resulted in the split vote, which will make it much more contentious on the floor. Stay tuned as we adjust our strategy for a floor fight. The best action right now, is to write Op-Eds and Letters to the Editor voicing your oppostion to the highway. Here are some examples:
Update 2-14-12: The Rally and Testimonies were a success! Here is a link to our press coverage from the day: http://defendingwater.net/maine/2012/02/press-coverage-from-east-west-highway-rally-2-14-12/
and to our testimonies: http://defendingwater.net/maine/east-west-highway/testimonies-from-east-west-highway-hearing-and-work-session/
Update 1-27-12: Senator Douglas Thomas promoted the East-West highway to the Dover-Foxcroft selectboard on January 23rd. The Selectmen did not pass a resolution about the highway at this time, saying it was too early and there weren’t enough details. We ask: What exactly would the resolution be for? If you have more information, or can access the town notes, please let us know! Chris
Update 1-20-12: The Small Business Administration is looking to provide capital for “small businesses that need it.” There are two components of the article that are noteworthy.
1) The SBA opened up a loan guarantee program to mission-based and community lenders. Three groups applied for the program in Maine and were approved: Coastal Enterprises Inc., the Eastern Maine Development Corp., and the Northern Maine Development Corp..
As a primary proponent of the East-West Highway, it is critical to monitor what the Eastern Maine Development Corporation does with these funds.
2) In addition, the head of the SBA, Karen Mills, expressed that the Obama administration has an infrastructure proposal on the table, which would mean $200 million in projects for Maine.
With a pre-existing relationship with EMDC, and the East-West highway project needing funding, we must monitor this “infrastructure proposal.” If anyone has information please let us know! Chris
Link to SBA article: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/01/20/business/administration-seeks-to-increase-capital-for-small-businesses-that-need-it-mills-says/?ref=latest
Update 1-11-12: Yesterday, LD 1671, the bill to fund the study was supposed to go into work session with the Finance and Appropriations Committee. However, it was moved to the Transportation Committee and we are now watching to see when the work session will be scheduled. Representative James S. Gillray (R-Searsport) is on the Transportation Committee. Note below that it was the Searsport selectmen asking for support of the highway.
Here is a link to the bill, LD 1671: http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_125th/billtexts/SP057001.asp
Update 1-7-12: Searsport selectmen ask Susan Collins to support the highway. If you live in Searsport, please talk to your selectmen. link: http://waldo.villagesoup.com/news/story/selectmen-press-senator-for-east-west-highway-development/477526
Update 12-16-11: A nonprofit transportation research group out of Washington D.C., TRIP, released a statement identifying “Maine’s 50 most needed transportation projects for economic growth.” #3 was the construction of a new east-west highway. TRIP is sponsored by “construction businesses, insurance companies, equipment makers, labor unions and other transportation-related organizations.” We believe TRIP’s role is to encourage private funding of the study, since funding from Maine taxpayers would be highly controversial, as we face severe cuts on social services. Chris related link: http://www.tripnet.org/state-info-reports.php?state=Maine
Update 12-12-11: Here is the link between Vigue / Cianbro, Mobilize Eastern Maine / Eastern Maine Development Corporation / the Action Committee of 50, and LR2358…! Brief summary: Cianbro doesn’t have the money for the feasibility study, and as part of this business group, wrote a letter to Legislators asking for an emergency bill (LR2358) to support funding. Senator Thomas had sponsored a bill to approve funding earlier that was voted down 2-8. This letter from EMDC was an appeal to reconsider. Thomas then sponsored the emergency bill and it passed 10-0. Chris
Letter to Legislators: http://www.emdc.org/document_upload/EastWestHighway2011.pdf
Action Alert 12-8-11: http://defendingwater.net/maine/2011/12/action-alert-e…moving-forward/
Updates on Actions
1) Write Letters to the Editor and Op-Eds in response to the articles on the highway. Here is a link to some examples:
2) RALLY on 2/14/12 was successful! We had about 20 people attend with signs, and then we moved inside for the hearing on LD 1671. There was good press coverage.
List of articles, radio shows, TV: http://defendingwater.net/maine/2012/02/press-coverage-from-east-west-highway-rally-2-14-12/
Link to our testimonies: http://defendingwater.net/maine/east-west-highway/testimonies-from-east-west-highway-hearing-and-work-session/
link to Rally alert: http://defendingwater.net/maine/2012/02/attention-all-committed-to-the-future-of-maine-kickoff-campaign-to-oppose-the-east-west-highway/
3) Lisa’s Letter to Transportation Committee: http://defendingwater.net/maine/2011/12/sample-letter-…mittee-members/
4) We are continuing to build an e-w action group. Please contact me with suggestions, or put people in touch with me directly. chris (at) defendingwater (dot) net
Articles and Resources on E-W Highway Specifics
Current Articles:
Map: http://defendingwater.net/maine/maine-east-west-highway-map/
Senator Doug Thomas statement to the Transportation Committee sponsoring LR 2358: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzan7GYQSBI
Peter Vigue’s Powerpoint Presentation: http://www.emdc.org/document_upload/CIANBRO%20Presentation.pdf
Past Articles:
12-22-07 Cianbro’s plan for tollroad, great background info: www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3318
12-07 more on Cianbro’s plan for tollroad, more background info: http://www.downeast.com/Down-East-Magazine/December-2007/Taking-Its-Toll
Allies:
Atlantica Watch: http://www.stopatlantica.org/?q=node/9
Resist Atlantica: http://resist.stopatlantica.org/
Articles and Resources on E/W Highway Supporters (Business Group(s), etc.)
Mobilize Eastern Maine. MEM I believe was the first project to coordinate business leaders, that has now become a broader “parent” organization. They organized the November 10 meeting, and the Education Summit on Dec8 to reach out to educators: http://www.mobilizeeasternmaine.com/
Eastern Maine Development Corporation / Action Committee of 50. EMDC calls themselves a “partner” of MEM but I think was formed as a corporation so MEM would have this kind of legal arm. The action committee is a core group of 50 businesses, that seems to me like the action arm of EMDC and MEM. There are also links to the November 10th powerpoint presentations on this page. http://www.emdc.org/index.php?id=36&sub_id=192
Letter to Legislators written by Action Committee of 50 promoting E-W highway: http://www.emdc.org/document_upload/EastWestHighway2011.pdf
TRIP. Formed in 1971, they call themselves a “national transportation research group.” Oddly, web pages like “supporters” are not completed, and their focus has been on Maine, specifically their news release on the top 50 construction projects that would spur economic growth in Maine. However, in the Bangor Daily News article, it states that TRIP is a nonprofit out of D.C. that is sponsored by “construction businesses, insurance companies, equipment makers, labor unions and other transportation-related organizations.” I’m confident that Cianbro has a seat at the table. We are speculating that TRIP became involved to encourage private funding of the feasibility study, since funding from the state is unlikely and politcally controversial. http://www.tripnet.org/
Atlantica. The International Northeast Economic Region (AINER). This is a corporation, free trade friendly website about the Atlantica region. Good to keep an eye on. The links do not work. http://www.atlantica.org/en/home/default.aspx
