In John Swinconeck’s June 2, story on Governor Lepage’s decision to delay release of voter-approved Land for Maine’s Future (LMF) funding, there are numerous examples of how the Governor is using the issue to serve his own political purposes. Maine voters and the Maine Legislature should be appalled. For example, when asked about releasing the LMF bond funds, LePage said, “That’s up to the Legislature.” That logic is flawed. The Legislature already authorized the funding; it’s up to the Governor to spend it. He is breaking a promise he made to do so.

The Governor’s “investigation” of LMF is also perplexing. All LMF projects are vetted and approved by the Governor’s own LMF board, and the program has precise guidelines that require appraisals by licensed professionals. It is an open process with a clean track record. This investigation is clearly a distraction by the Governor.

Finally, the Governor is framing this as a “rich vs. poor” issue. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mainers have voted six times with their pocketbooks for this program. All of these referendum votes have had broad support, regardless of income level.

The Land for Maine’s Future program has a long history of bi-partisan support in the Legislature. One reason may be that everyone in Maine benefits from the land the program conserves- -farmers, foresters, fisherman, hunters, all Mainers young and old–everyone can use these lands.

It is time to release these funds.

Carrie Kinne Executive Director, Kennebec Estuary Land Trust Bath