💰 The governor gets to decide whether this question goes to the ballot.
◉ Lawmakers on Thursday approved a money-in-politics question that had been slated for the November ballot and sent it to Gov. Janet Mills for her signature. It would mark the first time in 16 years that lawmakers have simply passed a referendum effort instead of deferring to the voters.
◉ The question, which would bar companies owned by federal governments from spending money in Maine referendums, came out of the political fight over the Central Maine Power Co. corridor. The House approved it in a 73-53 vote on Thursday, and it passed 19-13 in the Senate last month.
◉ Mills vetoed a similar measure in 2021 due to concerns that it could sideline companies with interests in Maine. Both Versant Power and the Forest Products Council of Maine opposed it. However, polling has shown that it is likely to pass if it gets to the voters, so that may weigh on the governor's decision about whether or not to sign off. |
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