Maine voters chose a future of true economic development and investment over illusions and promises this week when they voted down a racino proposal for Washington County and simultaneously approved bonds for conservation, higher education and research and development.

The failure of the Passamaquoddy-sponsored referendum to gain voter approval for a racetrack-casino in eastern Maine was a strong signal that Mainers don't want gambling in their future. The same voters turned back a 2003 casino referendum for southern Maine.

And although the 2003 vote also provided for establishment of a racino operation in Bangor, that eruption of gambling in Maine's heartland now appears to be the anomaly, the exception to the rule. Those who have proposed a statewide vote to build a casino in Oxford County, take note.

Instead of the shaky economic development offered by racino promoters -- where the real money goes to the house, not to gamblers -- Maine voters chose the rock-hard reality of a future built on land, education and innovation.

They endorsed $134 million in bonds, with $35.5 million going to land preservation, agricultural conservation, parks and historic site upgrades and river-based community development; $55 million to research and development in select industries such as biotechnology and aquaculture; and $43.5 million for higher education and state cultural and historic sites, the lion's share of which was for renovations and improvements to Maine community colleges, Maine Maritime Academy and University of Maine campuses.

Maine made the right choice Tuesday. The state's voters recognized that our landscape, our history and our initiative are the assets that built our prosperous past -- and they are the attributes that offer us the greatest possibility for prosperity in the future.