The Legislature and Gov. Janet Mills Monday tentatively agreed to a $73 million supplemental budget, $52 million less than what MIlls proposed at the beginning of the session, as lawmakers work toward adjourning today, a month earlier than planned.
The proposal, which was announced with an emphasis on bipartisan agreement, “protects the health and well-being of Maine people” as the state responds to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a Monday night news release. The budget was unanimously approved by the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee late Monday night and goes to the full Legislature today.
If the supplemental budget is approved, the state’s bi-annual budget would be $8.086 billion. The budget does not include any of the other hundreds of bills that were before the Legislature this session. The emergency bills would go into effect immediately if they become law. Any other bills passed by the Legislature this session go into effect 90 days from adjournment.
The Legislature can convene later in the spring or summer for a special session, depending on what happens with COVID-19. The 130th Legislature begins in the fall, and bills not approved this session would have to be reintroduced.
The budget prioritizes initiatives related to COVID-19, including:
- $1 million for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, which will be used to supplement federal money to expand capacity at the state laboratory and to hire and retain critical health care personnel, including epidemiologists and public health nurses to respond to the pandemic;
- $15 million for rate increases to support direct health care providers who are caring for Maine seniors, people with disabilities and children with behavioral health needs;
- $38 million for pre-K-12 education, raising the state’s contribution by 1%, to 51.78%, another step towards the 55% in state law;
- $10 million to repair the state’s roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure;
- $17.4 million to the Budget Stabilization Fund to prepare for the possibility of future COVID-19 related expenses or any shifts in Maine’s economy as a result of COVID-19. If the increase is approved by the Legislature, the Budget Stabilization Fund will have grown by approximately $50 million since Mills took office.
- A bond package of $105 million in transportation funding and $15 million to expand high-speed internet access was also agreed to. Mills and legislators stressed the broadband access is a critical need as many workers are doing it from home as part of the COVID-19 response.
“This revised proposal represents a bipartisan effort to strengthen the state’s ability to respond to and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Maine,” said Mills in the release.
“It takes strong steps to boost Maine’s health care system in support of our most vulnerable citizens, support the Maine CDC, and prepare for the very real prospect of an economic downturn related to the virus. I thank Legislative leaders for rising to the challenge of our times to reach this agreement and protect Maine people and our economy.”
Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, said that the budget addresses Maine’s rapidly changing COVID-19 situation. “The governor, legislative leaders and members of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee have put together a smart, responsible spending package that will support health care professionals, workers and businesses amid this public health crisis,” he said. “It also meets the fundamental needs of this state that can’t afford to be delayed any longer. In times of uncertainty, we must put partisanship aside and put Maine people first, which is what we did.
“All of us are committed to learning from other states and making sure Maine is better able to weather this outbreak,” Jackson said.
Dana Dow, R-Waldoboro, the Senate minority leader, echoed the bipartisan spirit of the proposal. “In these highly unusual times, we must all adjust to a very new and unfamiliar ‘normal’ for the short term, while being mindful of our neighbors, family, and friends,” he said.
“This is also true here in the state capital, where all of us have been working collaboratively through the weekend and beyond to look after the best interests of all Mainers,” Dow said.
House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport and House Minority Leader Kathleen Dillingham, R-Oxford, made similar statements of bipartisan unity and concern for Mainers.
Bills that won’t be addressed
The Legislature may also take action on other COVID-19 response bills today, but won’t be taking action on most of the hundreds of bills that were under consideration up until late last week in the 129th second session.
Some of the bills that are in limbo:
L.D. 402, which would have increased the number of salaried workers who can put in for overtime. The bill, which raised the cap on those who could earn overtime from $36,000 to $51,300 by 2026, wasn’t approved by the Labor and Housing Committee last week, and was already in limbo.
L.D. 900, which would give public employees the right to strike. The Committee on Labor and Housing reported it as ought to pass on March 5.
L.D. 1918, which would revise how tiny homes are registered, opening up a construction obstacle. It was voted ought to pass by the Committee on Transportation March 3, and reported out Friday.
L.D. 1955, which would expand dental care for adults who use Medicare and Medicaid, affecting an estimated 70,000 Mainers who now only get emergency care under state law. The bill would add adult preventive, diagnostic, and restorative dental services for adults 21 years and older. It was voted ought to pass by the Committee on Health and Human Services Feb. 25 and reported out last Thursday.
L.D. 2045, which would require retail stores of more than 20,000 to be taxed at their highest valuation, a move to offset “dark store theory,” practiced by some national retailers that have appealed assessments asking for cuts in the millions of dollars. It was tabled by the Committee on Taxation March 4.