AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Latest on Maine lawmakers’ last official day of session (all times local):
8:05 p.m.
Maine lawmakers are facing a potential midnight deadline to wrap up their work in Augusta.
Wednesday is the Legislature’s last official day of work this legislative session. The Senate has given the OK for lawmakers to stay five extra days, but the House has failed to pass an extension due to opposition from House Republicans.
The matter now heads back to the Senate and could return to the House. A spokeswoman for Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon says she doesn’t expect an extension to pass in the House.
Lawmakers face a number of unresolved issues, including tax reform and Medicaid expansion. Some legislators have been meeting behind closed doors to hash out compromises.
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1:10 p.m.
Maine lawmakers are going to decide whether they need to stay in Augusta a bit longer this year.
Wednesday is the Legislature’s official last day, but the Senate gave the OK for lawmakers to stay five extra days. The House is set to vote Wednesday evening.
Lawmakers have a mounting pile of tabled bills to consider.
Lawmakers face key issues of voter-approved Medicaid expansion funding and tax code changes in light of Republican President Trump’s reform. Some legislators are meeting behind closed doors to hash out compromises and get support from House Republicans.
The Legislature’s appropriations committee will meet Wednesday afternoon. Over 100 bills received support in both chambers, but need funding to survive.
Lawmakers must return at some point in coming weeks to deal with Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes.
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12:05 a.m.
Maine lawmakers are going to decide whether they need to stay in Augusta for extra days this year.
Wednesday is the Legislature’s official last day this spring but lawmakers could vote to stay longer. Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon’s spokeswoman says lawmakers have a handful of bills to consider.
But lawmakers still face the key issues of voter-approved Medicaid expansion funding and tax code changes in light of Republican President Trump’s tax reform. Some legislators have been meeting behind closed-doors to hash out compromise on such issues.
Lawmakers also must make decisions on over 100 bills that received support in the House and Senate but have languished due to lack of funding.
Lawmakers must return at some point in coming weeks to deal with Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s vetoes.
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