Maine Gov. Paul LePage Vetoes State Broadband Fund

After unanimous passage through the House and strong support from the Senate, Maine’s municipal broadband fund bill – LD 1185 – was quietly vetoed by Gov. Paul LePage (R-ME) on June 24.

The bill would have created a $500 placeholder fund as a mechanism for financing the development of open-access municipal fiber networks throughout the state. Gov LePage wrote in a veto letter addressed to the state Legislature that LD 1185 was nothing more than a “feel good” bill that would have done little for his citizenry. “In order for Maine’s economy to move forward, part of what we need is reliable, affordable broadband Internet access across more of our state,” Gov LePage wrote. “A few weeks ago I attended a launch event for a company whose goal is to ultimately deliver this type of service to 90 percent of Maine by the end of the year. That is just one company. It should come as no surprise; the private sector is already way ahead of Augusta politicians in identifying a business opportunity and implementing a strategy to deliver a needed product and service.”