Maine
Legislature
Office of the Speaker
Budget Negotiations Continue,
Committee of Conference Reconvenes
Gideon: We have significant work
ahead of us
AUGUSTA - Today, the Committee of Conference
reconvened to review a new proposal from the House Republican caucus
regarding outstanding issues within the 2017-2018 biennial state budget.
Work on the budget began in earnest last January, yet House Republicans
have spent the past six months unable to determine a position for
education funding or accept the results of last November’s referendum.
This long-awaited move comes just 8 days before the state budget must be
enacted to avoid a government shutdown.
“Democrats are
committed to enacting a responsible budget, that works within existing
resources,” said Speaker Sara Gideon. “We have been on the record time
and time again and been clear that this budget must fully fund the
state’s share of public education and provide much needed property tax
relief. While I am encouraged the House Republicans for finally joined the
other three caucuses at the negotiating table - eight days before a final
budget must be approved - this proposal falls short of those goals. We
have significant work ahead of us.”
Lawmakers, thus far,
have been unable to reach a budget agreement that will garner the
necessary two-thirds majorities needed to pass a state budget by June 30,
2017. With the deadline fast approaching, pressure to complete the budget
is increasing and a disagreement regarding a voter-approved increase in
education funding still exists. The remainder of the biennial budget
document has largely been determined by work of the Appropriations and
Financial Affairs committee.
“While I appreciate that my
colleagues from across the aisle have finally realized that Mainers have
demanded that we increase funding to our schools, their proposal is
underwhelming,” said Rep. Aaron Frey (D-Bangor). “We are dangerously
close to a government shutdown, yet, rather fully fund education and
provide the property tax relief voters demand, the House Republicans are
attempting to rehash settled budget lines, and shortchange our schools so
they can cut taxes for the wealthy. We have no choice but to remain at the
table until we do what’s right by Mainers.”
In
order for the budget to become law by midnight on June 30, Governor LePage
must act on the bill before that date by either signing the budget into
law or vetoing it, and allowing the legislature an opportunity to override
the veto. If the governor decides not to act on the bill and instead holds
it for up to the 10 business days the law allows, Maine government would
shut down. In 2013 and 2015, the governor waited the full 10 days to veto
the budget. He stated as recently as Wednesday that he intends to do so
this cycle, if his demands are not met.
Work on the biennial
budget will continue throughout the next week.