On November 5, Maine voters will decide the fate of a $149.5 million bond package developed earlier this year through negotiations between Gov. Paul LePage and the state legislature.

Money raised through bond issuance would be used to support projects related to transportation, higher education and the Army National Guard. The Secretary of State reports that if all bonds are issued Mainers could expect to pay $32.8 million in interest over the bonds' 10-year lifetime, making the total fiscal commitment $182.4 million.

Question 1: $14 million for the Army National Guard — $11 million for the state's share of maintenance, repair, capital improvement, modernization and energy efficiency projects for Guard readiness centers and support facilities and $3 million to purchase up to 6000 acres for training purposes.

Question 2: $15.5 million for higher education — $5.5 million for capital infrastructure and equipment to support science, technology, math and engineering at the Orono campus, $1.2 million to renovate and upgrade science and nursing labs at the Augusta and Bangor campuses, $1.2 million to renovate science facilities at the Farmington campus, $1.2 million to renovate and expand nursing lab and support GIS systems in forestry on the Fort Kent campus, $1.2 million to upgrade Powers Hall and the science building laboratory at the Machias campus, $1.2 million for capital improvements to support science, technology, math and engineering at the Presque Isle campus, and $4 million to renovate laboratories at the USM campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston.

Last year, voters rejected a higher education bond; this year's education bonds provide more details on how and where money raised would be spent.

Question 3: $100 million for transportation — $44 million to construct, reconstruct or rehabilitate Priority 1-3 highways, $5 million for municipal partnerships and the secondary road fund, $27 million to replace and rehabilitate bridges, and $24 million for facilities or equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, freight and passenger rail, including property acquisition and capital improvements at the International Marine Terminal.

If passed, this bond would trigger an additional $154 million in federal and other funds for Maine transportation projects.

Question 4: $4.5 million in support of a public/private partnership to build a new science facility at Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. Ground was broken for the new science center in September. The estimated cost of the new laboratory is $14 million dollars, the remaining funds are being raised from other sources. Marine Maritime Academy was awarded a $1.4 million federal Department of Transportation research grant this month.

Question 5: $15.5 million to upgrade buildings, classrooms and laboratories at seven community college campuses — $2.35 million for Central Maine Community College, $2.45 million for Eastern Maine Community College, $2 million for Kennebec Valley Community College; $4.3 million for Southern Maine Community College in Brunswick and Portland, $1 million for Washington County Community College and $3.4 million for York County Community College.

To view the Maine’s Citizens Guide to the Referendum Election, click here.