Policy Minute: Budget now waits for gov.'s decision
Welcome to our Policy Minute, a quick recap of recent policy and political activities at the State House and in the Portland region from a business perspective. For more information, read my weekly Policy Update.
Here's what's happening at the State House:
• We're expecting the Legislature to finish up other business later this week and then take a time out until the governor takes action on the state budget.
• Speaking of the budget, the appropriations committee's unanimous compromise budget got just enough votes in the House and the Senate to withstand a veto, if no one changes their votes.
• The governor can sign the budget on his desk, let the bill become law without his signature, use his line-item veto on the parts of the budget he likes least, or he can veto the whole thing. He's said he will take the full 10 days he's given under law to decide.
• Maine's hospitals will finally be repaid via state bonds supported by revenue from a new liquor deal — over $300 million dollars will go into the state's economy.
• Medicaid expansion passed the Legislature and sits on the governor's desk. Unlike the budget the bill, it didn't get veto-proof support in the Legislature.
• A bond package ought to go to the full Legislature this week — its fate is uncertain.
• Another bill awaiting action on the governor's desk is the omnibus energy bill, an effort to lower energy costs in Maine by emphasizing natural gas.
• Changes to the workers' compensation system are making their way through the State House, but the additional costs of the changes may doom the effort.
In our region: WellPoint/Anthem is adding over 200 jobs in South Portland. Local elections ratified all the school budgets in our region and advanced several projects, including Route 1 expansion in Falmouth.
Up next: The end of the legislative session can happen as soon as the governor acts on the state budget — keep an eye out for a flurry of activity at the State House.
Chris Hall is the CEO if the Portland Regional Chamber. Policy Minute is part of the Chamber's effort to keep Mainebiz readers up to date on important business-related issues that impact our workplace, our community and our future.
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