Lawmakers debate special session
Republican lawmakers are pushing Gov. John Baldacci to call a special session to add funds to a heating assistance program for low-income Mainers, but Democrats question the need.
Republican leaders from the state House and Senate are arguing that the $40,000-per-day cost of a special session is justified to allow lawmakers to vote to transfer $10 million from Maine's rainy day fund into the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, according to the Portland Press Herald. It is expected that the federal contribution for LIHEAP will remain the same as last year's, or roughly $19 million.
But Democratic Senate President Beth Edmonds told the paper the program should have enough money to last until December, when the Legislature reconvenes. Baldacci's spokesman, David Farmer, also questioned whether using money from the $160 million rainy-day fund is appropriate, since that fund helps shore up the state's bond rating and is meant for pressing crises.
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