PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • April 1, 2021
Maine lawmakers should have a greater say in the uses of leased public land, speakers told a legislative committee Thursday during a public hearing on a bill to establish how that would happen. The Maine Constitution was amended in 1993 to require that the sale of public lands or substantial changes in use be subject to the approval of two-thirds of the Legislature, but it was largely left up to state department heads to determine whether a change in use is substantial enough to get lawmakers involved. State agencies have approved many leases without legislative oversight, including those needed to allow Central Maine Power-backed New England Clean Energy Connect.