PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 26, 2023
A citizen initiative to require voter approval before the state takes on over $1 billion in debt has gathered enough valid signatures to put the question to voters in November, the Secretary of State’s Office said. State voters are now likely to be presented with two competing ballot referendums in November. A citizens’ initiative campaign aimed at replacing Maine’s two largest electric utilities with one owned by consumers submitted enough valid signatures last year to be considered by state voters. If both were approved, the debt-restriction initiative would give voters a say on whether the state could borrow the money needed to purchase Central Maine Power Co. and Versant Power, the state’s two largest utilities, and would give them a clearer idea of the cost, supporters say.