S.P. 465 - L.D. 1437
Resolve, to Study the State's Regional Service Center Communities
Whereas, the State's approximately 85 service center communities account for 75% of the State's jobs, 84% of its taxable retail sales and a majority of its social services; and
Whereas, these service center communities as a whole have been experiencing a long-term decline in population, a deterioration of infrastructure, a significantly higher-than-average property tax burden and a growing percentage of dependent populations; and
Whereas, the Legislature finds that these service center communities not only are essential to the economic health of the State but also can play important roles in the efficient delivery of municipal and regional services; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That the Task Force on Regional Service Center Communities, referred to in this resolve as the "task force," is established to recommend ways of reversing the decline of the State's principal service center communities, as identified by the State Planning Office, and ways of strengthening them as centers of job creation and as centers for the delivery of critical services to surrounding regions; and be it further
Sec. 2. Membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of the following members or their designees: the Director of the State Planning Office, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Transportation, the Director of the Maine State Housing Authority, one Senator appointed by the President of the Senate, 2 members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and 4 officials from service center communities appointed by the Governor; and be it further
Sec. 3. Mission. Resolved: That the task force shall consider the obstacles to the continuing economic and social health facing the State's service center communities and recommend ways of strengthening these communities through strategies including, but not limited to, the following:
1. Preserving and enhancing their historic role as regional service center communities, encouraging cooperation among these service center communities and other political subdivisions in at least, but not limited to, the following areas:
A. Business expansion and support;
B. Economic development;
C. Law enforcement training and services;
D. Education and education funding;
E. Infrastructure improvements; and
F. Property taxation;
2. Investment in infrastructure, utilizing a municipal infrastructure trust fund and other financing mechanisms, to meet regional needs;
3. State tax and state-local funding policies;
4. Programs affecting the development and redevelopment of healthy neighborhoods, including housing, business development, public safety, transportation, education and social services programs; and
5. Land use and environmental regulatory policies in service center communities.
The task force shall begin conducting its study within 30 days of the effective date of this resolve; and be it further
Sec. 4. Outreach. Resolved: That the task force is encouraged to seek advice and input from county and municipal officials, representatives of business interests and any other parties the task force considers important to its study and to conduct task force meetings in various service center communities in the State; and be it further
Sec. 5. Staff; compensation. Resolved: That within budgeted resources, the executive agencies identified in section 2 of this resolve shall provide staff assistance to the task force. Members of the task force are not entitled to compensation, except that Legislators serving on the task force are entitled to the legislative per diem for attendance at task force meetings; and be it further
Sec. 6. Report. Resolved: That the task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any necessary implementing legislation, to the Second Regular Session of the 118th Legislature by January 1, 1998. If the task force requires an extension, it may apply to the Legislative Council, which may grant the extension; and be it further
Sec. 7. Appropriation. Resolved: That the following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this resolve.
1997-98
LEGISLATURE
Task Force on Regional Service Center Communities
Personal Services $ 990
All Other 1,900
Provides funds for the per diem and expenses of legislative members and miscellaneous costs, including printing, of the Task Force on Regional Service Center Communities.
__________
TOTAL $2,890
Effective September 19, 1997, unless otherwise indicated.
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