Contact:
Krysta West
Communications Director
Senate Republican Office
(207) 287-1505
krysta.west@legislature.maine.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AUGUSTA – Senator Eric Brakey’s (R-Androscoggin) bill to reform the process for municipalities to consolidate, LD 1840, today received final approval in the Maine Senate.

This bill, sponsored on behalf of the mayors of Auburn and Lewiston, is the result of a hotly contested referendum that sought to merge the two cities last November. This referendum failed handedly by a margin of more than 2-to-1.

LD 1840 adds one step to future municipal processes to have voters get a chance to weigh in on whether or not they are interested in exploring municipal consolidation before they, as taxpayers, are required to finance the costly consolidation process.

“On behalf of the people of my community, I would like to thank the State and Local Government Committee for working with me on this legislation, and also my colleagues in the Senate for their unanimous support. Hopefully, with this new step, other communities can avoid unnecessary heartache and expense on merger proposals that lack community support.”

LD 1840 will now go on to Governor LePage.

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