AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine lawmakers wrapped their work in the short legislative session early Friday and will soon turn their focus to elections. They plan to return for one day next month to consider any vetoes from Republican Gov. Paul LePage before the session officially closes.
While partisan battles over health care and welfare consumed much of the session, lawmakers approved dozens of other measures that will affect Mainers’ lives.
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THE BUDGET: A bill that fixes $40 million shortfall this fiscal year ending June 30 and includes some funding for next year’s budget went into law this month without LePage’s signature. Among other things, the budget includes $500,000 for Head Start programs and $9.5 million for schools. A separate bill that closes a $32 million shortfall for 2015 awaits action from LePage. That proposal also includes $5 million to remove developmentally disabled Mainers off a waitlist for Medicaid services such as home-based care.
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REVENUE SHARING: A bill to prevent $40 million in cuts to state aid to cities and towns went into law without the governor’s signature. LePage blasted the measure because it was paid for in part by taking money out of the rainy day fund. He pushed a separate proposal that put $21 million back into that reserve.
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BONDS: Maine voters could get a chance to consider $50 million in bond proposals in November. Lawmakers gave the green light to six borrowing measures that would support small businesses and water infrastructure projects. The measures received strong support in both chambers late Thursday and await action from LePage.
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MINING REGULATIONS: Democrats sent a bill to LePage that rejects the mining regulations drafted by his administration and directs it to re-submit new rules. Environmental groups said the mining rules proposed by the Department of Environmental Protection don’t go far enough to protect the environment. The governor has yet to take action on the bill.
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING: LePage signed a Republican-backed bill this month that makes sex trafficking an affirmative defense to prostitution charges and provides victims with access to a compensation fund. The measure also boosts fines for human trafficking offenders.
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DRUG OVERDOSE ANTIDOTE: More people would have access to a potentially life-saving drug that prevents overdose deaths, under a measure lawmakers sent to LePage’s desk this week. It allows families of addicts to be prescribed naloxone, also known as Narcan. Firefighters and police officers would also be able to administer it under the proposal.
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SPENDING BILLS: Lawmakers gave final approval to several bills that have been in limbo as they awaited funding decisions. Among the measures funded is one designed to prevent multinational corporations from avoiding paying state taxes in Maine by holding their profits in overseas tax havens. Another measure would free up casino and slot machine revenue for more districts to start preschool programs for 4-year-olds. More Maine children would get private insurance coverage for autism treatment under another.
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