4.15.2020
CARES Act Grants Announced for
Maine Airports
The funding will support continuing operations and replace lost revenue resulting from the dramatic decline in passenger traffic and other airport business due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds can be used for airport capital expenditures, operating expense including payroll and utilities, and payments to retire debt.
Earlier, the Federal Transit Administration announced $83,372,447 to help Maine’s public transit systems respond to COVID-19. US Sen. Susan Collins, chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, said the money will help ensure that public transportation remains strong and reliable for access to essential resources, such as groceries and medical care.
Federal Transit Authority webpage on assistance and grants
. While the bulk of the grants go to the Portland region, there is also rural funding, particularly for Bangor and Lewiston, as well as a couple of other areas.
Governor Mills Issues Proclamation, Executive Order on Primary Election Delay
Governor Mills yesterday issued a
Proclamation
, extending the state of civil emergency from April 15 until May 15. This continues to allow the Governor the authority to act under emergency powers and deploy resources to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The Proclamation does not extend or change any Executive Order previously issued by the Governor, including the “Stay Healthy at Home” Order, effective through April 30.
Governor Mills also recently issued an
Executive Order
moving Maine’s primary election from June 9 to July 14, to protect citizens from COVID-19. On the July 14 ballot will be a $105 million transportation bond, with $90 million slated for highways and bridges and $15 million for non-highway modes. MaineDOT planned its Work Plan on a bond of $100 million passing this year, so it is critical that Maine voters approve it. It is even more important now that MaineDOT is seeing its fuel tax revenues decline by 50% or more, due to COVID-19.
(207-622-0526) or (207-592-0227).
