Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Lawmakers voted Wednesday to override Gov. Paul LePage's veto of a two-year budget that raises the state's sales and meals and lodging taxes to restore part of the state's revenue sharing with municipalities.
The Bangor Daily News reported the $6.3 billion budget cleared the House by a 114-34 margin and the Senate by a 26-9 margin Wednesday. It was the first gubernatorial veto, out of 40, that the Legislature overrode this session.
The override vote also avoids a state shutdown that would have come on July 1, when the new budget is set to take effect.
The plan raises the sales tax by 0.5% and the meals-and-lodging taxes by 1% for those two years to restore 65% of the state's $200 million state revenue sharing program — a program LePage proposed suspending earlier this year to close a budget gap. The budget also includes a $30 million increase in spending on public schools and restores merit and longevity pay increases for workers whose salaries have been frozen for over four years.
LePage remained opposed to the budget after the veto override Wednesday and chastised lawmakers for supporting a budget that raises taxes.
The governor's vetoes of other bills withstood legislative challenges Wednesday, except for a wide-ranging energy bill that cleared the Senate late Wednesday night. The vetoes upheld included bills that would re-start a state study of climate change impacts, require employers to accommodate nursing mothers in the workplace, change reporting requirements for gubernatorial transition teams and study factors contributing to Maine's above-average cancer mortality rate.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
Comments