Maine House lifts emergency clause on supplemental budget after continuing disagreements

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) – The battle over the supplemental budget continues in the Maine Legislature.

Two weeks ago, the Maine Legislature adjourned for February break without passing Governor Mills’ supplemental budget. In Tuesday’s sessions, the story was more of the same.

“75 having voted in the affirmative and 70 in the negative. The motion fails,” announced Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau.

The supplemental budget is an emergency measure, meaning it requires a two-thirds majority to go into effect immediately.

Republicans say they recognize the budget problem, but can’t vote to pass the supplemental budget as is. They specifically addressed issues concerning general assistance reform and work requirements.

“Mr. Speaker, we have to admit there’s a problem before we can fix it,” commented Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, House Republican Leader. “Right now, we are in a budget catastrophe that we all have to fix together.”

The majority of the 120-million dollar supplemental budget is to close a funding gap in MaineCare. Democrats say without that immediate funding, the state would need to temporarily withhold payments to providers starting in March.

“This money needs to be appropriated to maintain the basic functioning of our healthcare system,” said Rep. Drew Gattine.

The bill comes out of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee where members have been working with other committees on both the supplemental and biennial budgets.

“This is an opportunity for us to come together and say, ‘Look, we know we’ve got a problem.’ If you know that we have a problem, then we need to oppose this, and we have a problem,” stated Rep. Jack Ducharme.

“It is very clear that this supplemental budget meets the moment and addresses some of the most urgent needs facing our state today. In a few minutes, each of us will make an individual decision about where we stand when it comes to providing healthcare for people who need it, and protecting our forests and our rural economy,” concluded Gattine.

Late Tuesday evening, the House voted to rid of the emergency clause tied to the bill. The bill will now head over to the Senate, but if passed will have to wait 90 days before going into effect.

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