AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Latest on a judge’s ruling that Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage doesn’t have the authority to shutter a minimum-security prison without obtaining legislative approval. (all times local):
1 p.m.
The Maine House has failed to reach a two-thirds threshold needed to fund the Downeast Correctional Facility for another year.
The prison is currently funded through June and proponents of the minimum-security prison want to continue funding for another year while studying the efficiency of the prison and its impact on the local economy. The measure now moves to the Senate.
The 83-53 vote Thursday came after a judge concluded that only lawmakers, not the Department of Corrections, have the authority to close facility. Republican Gov. Paul LePage emptied the prison last month and laid off workers.
The funding proposal needs a two-thirds majority because it’s emergency legislation. But the Senate has the option of changing the status to allow passage by a simple majority. However, anything less than a two-thirds majority could be vetoed.
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10:30 a.m.
A spokeswoman for Democratic Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon says there will be more votes on a proposal to extend funding at a Maine jail for another year.
A Superior Court justice concluded on Wednesday that only lawmakers, not the Department of Corrections, have the authority to close Downeast Correctional Facility. Republican Gov. Paul LePage says the prison’s too expensive and inefficient.
The jail is currently funded through June and votes about its future are expected Thursday. Proponents of keeping it open for another year are seeking a veto-proof majority to do that.
More votes on the future of the jail will likely trigger debates between Republicans and Democrats on Thursday.
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9 a.m.
A judge says Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage doesn’t have the authority to shutter a minimum-security prison without obtaining legislative approval.
Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy granted a temporary injunction sought by the attorney general, unions and the Washington County Commission. She concluded that only lawmakers, not the Department of Corrections, have the authority to close the Downeast Correctional Facility.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the ruling on Thursday. It was dated Wednesday.
The governor’s administration removed inmates from the facility on Feb. 9 even though the facility was funded by lawmakers through the summer.
LePage contends the prison is too costly and inefficient to continue operating.
The prison costs about $5 million a year to operate and provides jobs and prison labor to the surrounding community.
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