(GOP moran) Bills would let billboards pop up again in Maine

http://www.pressherald.com/news/bills-would-let-billboards-pop-up-again-in-maine_2011-04-25.html

Another battle between environmentalists and Maine businesses is looming, over two bills that would weaken the state's decades-old ban on billboards.

For more than 30 years, Maine has banned the large advertising signs, along with only Vermont, Alaska and Hawaii. The signs' supporters are optimistic that they can repeal or modify the state's strict law now that Republicans have control in the State House and the Blaine House.

"Essentially what we are trying to do is make small businesses more accessible to the traveling public," said state Rep. Dennis Keschl, R (edit: moran) -Belgrade, the sponsor of L.D. 1405, which would loosen Maine's law regarding signs on properties of business owners.

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Another bill, L.D. 1367, sponsored by Sen. Doug Thomas, R-(edit:moran) Ripley, would allow billboards to line Maine highways for fees that would help pay for road maintenance.

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...as Republicans shift onto full "Potterville now!" mode.

Tesha

If you want to know where to go in Maine, you ask a Maine-ah.