Whereas, the existing 120-bed nursing facility of the Maine Veterans' Homes in Augusta is almost 20 years old; and

Whereas, significant renovations must be made to that facility, such as renovations to ensure continued compliance with life safety codes, to remove asbestos, to replace heating systems, to replace windows and to replace the facility's roof; and

Whereas, the Maine Veterans' Homes has proposed these renovations to its Augusta nursing facility in the amount of $2,794,787; and

Whereas, the Maine Veterans' Homes can guarantee a contract price of $2,794,787 on these renovations to its Augusta nursing facility if it acts by February 17, 2003; and

Whereas, the Maine Veterans' Homes has secured federal funding in the amount of 65% of the costs of the renovations; and

Whereas, the Maine Veterans' Homes will lose its federal funding for the proposed renovations to its Augusta nursing facility if it can not proceed with a contract for the renovations in a timely manner; and

Whereas, the proposed renovations to the Augusta nursing facility of the Maine Veterans' Homes are subject to the Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2002; and

Whereas, on January 22, 2002, the Maine Veterans' Homes filed with the Department of Human Services a certificate of need application dated January 14, 2002 seeking approval for the proposed renovations to the nursing facility; and

Whereas, the Department of Human Services has not yet acted on the certificate of need application; and

Whereas, the Maine Certificate of Need Act of 2002 states "A nursing facility project that proposes renovation, replacement or other actions that will increase Medicaid [MaineCare] costs may be approved only if appropriations have been made by the Legislature expressly for the purpose of meeting those costs"; and

Whereas, the Maine Veterans' Homes does not wish the proposed renovations to its Augusta nursing facility to increase