AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The biggest question facing the newly sworn in members of Maine’s Legislature is whether they and GOP Gov. Paul LePage will play nicely as they tackle the big issues facing the state.
Legislators arrived in the Statehouse on Wednesday to take the official oath of office, and will return Jan. 4.
November’s election left the Legislature divided further, and LePage and Democrat House Speaker Sara Gideon are already at odds over oversight of a proposed mental health facility.
LePage has gained national headlines this year for fending off an impeachment effort, leaving a threatening message on a Democratic legislator’s voicemail, blaming the state’s opioid crisis on blacks and Hispanics and criticizing the federal government over food stamps and refugee resettlement programs.
On Wednesday, the governor focused on his opposition to recently voter-approved measures to raise the minimum wage and create a new surtax on individual incomes above $200,000. LePage said he will introduce legislation to lessen their impact, which he said disproportionately burden Maine’s elderly. He wants to restore allowances for employers to pay workers less than minimum wage if they make at least minimum wage with tips.
“I ask that we work together. I ask that we make sure the tipped credit stays on the books, and I ask that you work with me to protect the elderly in the state of Maine,” LePage said.
The governor claimed that dentists and doctors are already moving to New Hampshire because of the income surtax, which gives Maine one of the highest tax rates on the wealthiest in the country.
Gideon said she’ll focus on the state’s economy, which lags behind other New England states and the rest of the country in terms of job recovery since the Great Recession and wage growth.
Republican Senate President Michael Thibodeau said the new Legislature faces difficult challenges as it begins work on the biennial budget.
Legislators also re-elected Democratic Attorney General Janet Mills, who faced competition from Republican Josh Tardy. They planned Wednesday to also elect the secretary of state and other constitutional officers.
Republicans maintain narrow control of the Senate with 18 seats, while Democrats have 17 seats.
Democrats lost a few seats in the House, but are in the majority with 77 seats to the Republicans’ 72. Two House members are independents.
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