LePage declares civil emergency in response to shutdown
Gov. Paul LePage has declared a civil emergency in response to the shutdown of the federal government, but the administration has not identified how it plans to use the emergency powers to alleviate the shutdown’s impact in the state.
The Portland Press Herald reported the move has been criticized as bluster by Democrats and state union officials. The declaration allows the governor to suspend state rules or regulations that “prevent, hinder and delay effective management of the emergency.”
The emergency declaration, issued Wednesday, cited the state’s potential inability to meet certain obligations without federal funds as the primary reasons for the state of emergency. While the governor’s office said it’s unclear how long the state can continue to support its 2,740 jobs that are fully or partially funded with federal money, the emergency declaration does not give the governor additional spending authority.
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