The Republican governor wrote to House Speaker Mark Eves, a Democrat, and Senate President Mike Thibodeau, a Republican, saying he’s dropping his insistence that the release of the bonds be linked to his proposal to divert revenue from timber harvesting on state lands to help low-income residents update their heating systems.

But he didn’t do so without a parting shot, accusing them of turning their backs on the poor.

“You may not know what it’s like to be cold in the winter, but I do. It’s a feeling you never forget,” LePage, who was homeless for a time as a boy, wrote to the legislative leaders.

His decision dials back a political fight that loomed as lawmakers prepare to return to Augusta next month.

But Eves said the governor should issue all of the bonds, which were approved in 2010 and 2012, and blamed him for letting bonds approved by voters in 2010 expire. “The fact that the governor’s inaction resulted in the expiration of $6.47 million in funds is another failure of leadership,” he said.

LePage’s refusal to issue voter-approved bonds had been widely criticized by environmental groups. Angry residents raised the issue at a town hall meeting last week in Portland.

The Land for Maine’s Future program has protected more than 560,000 acres of working forests, farms and commercial waterfront property since it was established in 1987. The program operates through the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, but money for the projects comes from voter-approved bonds.

LePage said his opposition to the Land for Maine’s Future program stems from it taking land off the local property tax rolls, increasing the burden on middle- and low-income taxpayers. But he said he respects the will of voters and will issue the bonds while pursuing other ways to help Maine residents keep their homes warm.

The governor said his proposal as a “reasonable initiative” that was stymied by “petty politics.” Critics pointed out that there were constitutional limitations on using timber money.

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