A bill that would install dedicated muncipal representation for Brunswick and Topsham on the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors went to the floor of the Maine House today.
Rep. Mattie Daughtry, DBrunswick, argued for adoption of LD 1476 on the grounds that neither of the towns which host the former naval air station and current business park has a specific representative on the board.
The Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development last week narrowly voted not to endorse the bill, 7-6.
Neither of Brunswick’s other two legislative delegates — Rep. Charlie Priest and Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, both Democrats — favors the bill. Gerzofsky lobbied against it and called it “redundant.”
Daughtry and co-sponsor Rep. Andrew Mason, D-Topsham have cited polls conducted several weeks ago that show that 89 percent of Brunswick and Topsham residents — as well as 76 percent of people statewide — favor local representation on the redevelopment board.
House debate of LD 1476 was scheduled for 9 a.m.; results of the floor discussion were not available by The Times Record’s press deadline.
jtleonard@timesrecord.com
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