Budget that cleared committee faces veto
The state’s budget-writing appropriations committee has given unanimous approval to a spending plan that closes a $30 million gap in the next fiscal year, but Gov. Paul LePage says he will veto the plan if it makes it to his desk unchanged.
The Maine Public Broadcasting Network reported the budget plan would extend the state’s Medicaid payment schedule by two weeks, a proposal that makes up $20 million of the bridged budget gap. LePage denounced the proposal as the state putting off paying its bills to hospitals. Republican appropriations committee member Dennis Keschl told MPBN the plan “is not a gimmick” and transitions the state to a payment schedule that’s in line with federal requirements.
The other $10 million came through a combination of cuts, reprojected savings and remaining balances from various state agency accounts. Lawmakers also agreed to include $5 million to reduce the number of people with disabilities on waiting lists for home-based care and group home Medicaid services, and another $5 million in additional funding for nursing homes.
The measure is expected to head to the House for a vote Monday. House Republican Leader Ken Fredette told the news station that he will support the committee’s unanimous vote and expects the budget will have support of other GOP members.
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