51 m?r 
01: till GOVLRNIJR
1 STATE. HOUSE S'I'A'l?it'w
AUGUSTA, MAINE


 

F?aul Fl. LePagt-?J

f. OF:

July 18, 2016

The Hon. Jeff McCabe
House Majority Leader
2 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Dear House Majority Leader McCabe,

I have been monitoring the situation with private roads in Somerset County that were washed out
or damaged during the rainfall on June 28. While I understand the importance of these roads to
the region, the Options under state law to repair and maintain private roads are very limited.

The Maine Department of Environment Protection, Maine Forest Service and Land Use Planning
Commission have been on site to determine which private roads need repairs and to provide
guidance. In addition, we can make engineers and other staff from the Maine Department of
Transportation available to provide expertise and advice to make sure the roads are properly re?
constructed and will be able withstand such heavy rainfalls or other natural occurrences.

However, as you well know, the Executive Branch does not have the authority to appropriate
money. Only the Legislature can do that.

Certainly, I would be willing to call the Legislature back to fund an emergency bill to provide
?nancial assistance and relief for the infrastructure and people of Somerset County. But Speaker
of the House Mark Eves has already proclaimed loudly and publicly that if I call back the
Legislature, he will immediately adjourn the emergency session. He has made it very clear he is
not interested in properly funding bills that bene?t the Maine people, especially if the Governor
asks him to do so.

Therefore, I suggest you contact the Speaker and ask him to call back the Legislature so an
emergency bill to fund assistance for the people of Somerset County can be properly and legally
appropriated.

Sincerely,

Paul R. LePage i
Governor

i-ox 'cltc?r'r'l I-jri 
PHONE: 357-3531 ?301'ch TTY USER-S CALL T'll {207} 38711034



CC:

Sen. Rod Whittemore
Rep. Larry Dunphy
Comm. Philip Roy, Jr.
Comm. Robert Dunphy
Comm. Dean Cray
Comm. Newal Graf
Comm. Lloyd Trafton