Maine
Gov. Mills skirts Maine flag question but endorses 3 bond proposals
Gov. Janet Mills campaigns for presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris on Tuesday at Meadowview Park in Lewiston. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Gov. Janet Mills is not weighing in on a statewide referendum to change the state flag, saying it’s a personal decision that every Mainer must make for themselves.
In her weekly radio address, Mills said she’s supporting all three of the bond proposals on the ballot. They include Question 2, a $25 million bond for research and development; Question 3, a $10 million bond to restore historic community buildings; and Question 4, a $30 million bond to design, develop and maintain multi-use trails across the state.
When it comes to the flag referendum, which is Question 5, Mills has consistently stayed out of the debate.
The current state flag features the state seal on a blue field. If approved by voters, it would be replaced with a modernized version of the Pine Tree flag that the state used from 1901 to 1909. The proposed flag would feature a pine tree with 16 boughs, representing each county, and blue star on a tan field.
The proposal was made to the ballot through a Democratic bill that was subject to emotional debate in both chambers.
Mills allowed the measure to go to voters without her signature.
“Finally,” Mills says in her radio address, “some folks have asked me how I’ll be voting on Question 5, which is the flag issue. I know that’s an issue on the top of everyone’s minds, but you know what? It’s up to you to decide that, and I’m not going to try to influence the vote.
“State flags are a source of great pride, and however the vote turns out, I hope we can all support the outcome as a symbol of the State of Maine.”
While she explained that she isn’t taking a position either way on the flag referendum, Mills did not address the only remaining ballot question.
Question 1 would set a $5,000 on contributions to political action committees that advocate for the election or defeat of a candidate. Contributions to PACs controlled by a political party and ballot question committees would not be included and could continue to receive unlimited contributions from individuals or groups.
Maine would be the first state to pass such a law, since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United vs. the FEC, which unleashed unfettered spending on political races as a form of free speech. Advocates for Question 1 expect it will be challenged in court if passed by voters.
When asked why Mills didn’t address Question 1 in her address, her aides pointed to Mills’ statement that she doesn’t “feel the need to speak to every question.”
WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT
• Question 1: Capping contributions to certain political action committees
• Question 2: A $25 million research-and-development bond
• Question 3: A $10 million bond for historic buildings
• Question 4: A historic $30 million bond to repair and restore trails
• Question 5: At long last, Mainers could vote for a new state flag
Find more election coverage at pressherald.com/election-2024