In 2020, Maine’s Blue-Ribbon Commission determined that the annual shortfall in transportation infrastructure needs is $232 million. As that amount is compounded over a generation, Legislature after Legislature moved forward with a band-aid solution to fix our potholes and repair our bridges. That placed Maine at fourth worst in the United States for the condition of its bridges, and we have a lot of them.

The Legislature’s Transportation Committee made several attempts, over many years, to move forward with borrowing packages through bonds and other financial mechanisms to address the growing issue. However, the state needs a sustainable solution that provides predictable investment, as we have seen improvements in vehicle efficiency affecting the highway fund.

I would like to thank Sen. Brad Farrin, R-Norridgewock, for his leadership and continued work across the aisle with his colleagues to ensure that part of the automobile sales tax is allocated to the highway fund budget. This way, those who have purchased electric vehicles also contribute to road maintenance, and it doesn’t increase taxes. Instead, it allocates the taxes to the appropriate place — our transportation infrastructure. Sen. Farrin knows how to help his constituents.

Jason Griffiths
Chelsea