AUGUSTA, Maine — The battle over Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services took a new turn Thursday when the Legislature’s budget writing committee abruptly canceled a meeting scheduled for Friday.
Members of the Appropriations Committee have said recently they need more information from the department before continuing deliberations on the proposed cuts.
Last month, LePage released a supplemental budget for DHHS that reduced its state funding by $220 million over the next year and a half. There has been much opposition to the cuts, especially those affecting facilities for the elderly and those with disabilities.
Lawmakers have been frustrated by what they characterize as a lack of clear information from the department about the size of the gap between its spending and its allocation of state funds. Questions also remain about the causes of the shortfall.
Some of those questions were supposed to be addressed at a work session scheduled for Friday, but legislative leaders called off the meeting after they said it was clear that officials with DHHS and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review would not be ready.
LePage’s press secretary, Adrienne Bennett, said DHHS officials were ready for Friday’s meeting.
Rep. Kenneth Fredette, R-Newport, a member of the Appropriations Committee, said it was more important to have accurate information than to finish a supplemental budget quickly.
Rep. Mark Eves, D-North Berwick, said he was displeased with the sudden cancellation of Friday’s meeting but said it underscores the need for the Legislature to take a step back and not push through the governor’s budget.
Earlier in the week Republicans said they couldn’t go along with the governor’s proposed cuts to what are known as private nonmedical institutions, or PNMIs.
It’s possible that Gov. LePage could submit another DHHS proposal in the coming days. In an interview with a Portland TV station on Wednesday, the governor offered an alternative to the PNMI cuts, which total $60 million.
“If they give me authority over the Maine State Housing Authority we can fix the housing portion through the Maine State Housing Authority,” LePage said, according to a transcript of the TV interview.
Bennett said the governor recognized “all along” that an alternative would be needed to the PNMI cuts. “That is why he set aside $39 million in the budget stabilization fund that is available for the Legislature to use as they explore alternatives,” Bennett said.
On Thursday, she said the governor is the only one who has put a proposal on the table.
“If new plans are presented the governor will take a look at those. He has expressed a willingness to work with legislators to find solutions,” she said. “At the end of the day a balanced budget must be law — how we get there will take cooperation from many people.”
Democrats have said they are reluctant to offer a counterproposal until they have a better sense of the DHHS budget shortfall, specifically a breakdown of short- versus long-term impact.
In the meantime, timing — and politics — could become an issue.
During the second session of a Maine Legislature, a two-thirds majority of lawmakers needs to approve a bill in order for it to be enacted immediately. If a bill passes with only a simple majority, it doesn’t go into effect until 90 days after passage.
The governor has said that money for MaineCare will run out April 1, which would be before the 90 days are up.
That could create a problem and could hang a cloud over the entire session. If Democrats compromise and pass a two-thirds budget, some fear it gives Republicans a green light to push through everything else on their agenda with a simple majority vote. If Democrats hold out and force Republicans to pass a budget with a simply majority, they risk politicizing what some feel are serious cuts in services to people who drastically need them.
Earlier this week, Democrats reportedly angered Republicans when Sen. Dawn Hill and Rep. Peggy Rotundo — the minority leaders on Appropriations — neglected to sign the printed version of the DHHS supplemental budget bill. Traditionally, leaders of both parties on the committee sign the bill jacket as a show of good faith.
LePage was among those upset at Hill and Rotundo’s actions, according to Senate Minority Leader Barry Hobbins, who met with the governor on Thursday.
“I think he felt as though it was a sign that Democrats were not interested in being at the table on this,” Hobbins said. “But that’s not the case. We have concerns, but we want to work with the governor and the majority.”
Although Hill said she’s willing to compromise, she remained strongly opposed to the governor’s proposal.
“Truthfully, I’m not even calling this a budget,” she said. “It’s unprecedented to fix this only within the department. I think it puts a stranglehold on us to keep this in the confines of DHHS.”
Hobbins agreed that his party’s preference is to deal with any shortfalls in the overall budget rather than looking only at DHHS.
House and Senate Republicans, along with LePage, have not yet supported that approach and want to address the $220 million DHHS shortfall before tackling any other budgets.
“Right now, we see this as a DHHS issue, but I think reality may dictate as this moves on that that might not happen,” Fredette said.
It’s reassuring to see that the legislature is not going to tolerate the antics of this administration.
What do you call a Penguin that limps?
Chester, the Lame Duck?
Something needs to be done. We have seen those in Augusta spend too much and refuse to deal with issues as they come up. Now, changes have to be made or we’re all in trouble. It looks like the Republicans are ready to come to the table and make these tough decisions. It’s sad that the Democrats have not realized how important these changes are to the future of the MaineCare program, and our state.
I earn a little less than $50,000 per year and pay just $150 per week in state and federal taxes. For that $150 I get roads and bridges to drive on, my children get a free K-12 education, I benefit from our health care, utility, and higher education infrastructure, enjoy our state and national parks, can rest assured that no one in our country should starve to death or be turned away for emergency health care. The list goes on. I think this is an incredibly small price to pay for such benefits. The Republicans have repeated so many times that our taxes are too high that people just blindly go along with them. Wake up folks. These services don’t grow on trees and we all benefit from them. Stop being whiny and selfish. This is not socialism, it’s called shared responsibility and community.
If you feel so strongly that you should be paying more, then I’m sure the state wouldn’t turn away your money. As for me, I’ve earned my money and know that our state is paying for a lot more than I’m willing to pay for.
Well then stay off my roads and bridges and get your kids out of my schools. And when your grandma is old and feeble make sure she doesn’t get MaineCare to pay for her nursing home.
Who do you think you are? Applying logic and reason to this issue! lol. I pay about twice what you do and have never considered it a burden when you realize what you get for your tax dollar.
I am retired , don’t drive much , have no kids in school , pay cash for my health care ( except what I’ve earned as a veteran ) don’t visit the parks, pay for my own food……..do you see what I’m getting at ? I’m tired of paying for someone else to enjoy the things that I worked for. In an earlier comment you said that the state is not broke , well I am and I’m tired of sacrificing so that others can enjoy the fruits of my labor ! I am in favor of much less government !
Do you wear clothes, eat food and own possessions or a house full of such items?
If so, I hate to break the news to you but those items did not just magically appeared- THEY CAME TO YOU VIA THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS of this country, which ship goods from one end to the other, as well as get goods from other nations to folks grousing via laptops from the comforts of their Barcaloungers in rural Maine.
Thanks for your service- but I must say, it is a shame that during said service you didn’t learn how our nation works. You display a remarkable lack of knowledge with great pride and it is a discredit to those who serve with distinction and understanding of how we are all citizens of a great nation with different roles, contributing for a strong future together.
Exactly. It often seems to me that some Republicans are like spoiled children. They expect Mommy and Daddy will always make sure they have the necessities, and of course they’d never actually give Mommy or Daddy any money to help 0ut with expenses. No taxes! No rules! No laws! The infrastructure should just BE there, and surely always will be. And if something’s not perfect, it’s got to be brother’s or sister’s fault, so let’s punish them.
Silly Susan: The Republicans control the legislative committee that has canceled the meeting because the Republican Governor either cannot or will not provide accurate and complete information about an alleged “crisis” he claims needs fixing.
Please do explain how this is the fault of Democrats?
I think it is quite responsible that the Republicans are not wasting the public’s time or money by delaying this meeting to ensure they have the correct information. As for the Democrats, if you’ve followed along with this story at all, you’ll know that the Democrats do not want to cut anything and are completely ignorant to the fact that our state spends way too much.
“Democrats do not want to cut anything and are completely ignorant to the fact that our state spends way too much. ” That is an out and out lie.
And did you see the Gov being interviewed on TV a couple days ago bragging about the last session and how’s he such a good actor and was able to scare the legislature into thinking there was a crisis when there wasn’t? I got them to do what I wanted, didn’t I, is basically what he was saying with his stupid puffed up chest and smirk on his face.
PNMI’s Should not be covered through Mainecare. They should be budgeted seperately. Some of these PNMI’s are getting pretty wealthy and tax exempt at that.
Wealthy? Sounds like the business opportunity of a lifetime maineboy. Go for it.!
The Democrats need to open their eyes and see the mess they’ve helped create. Saying no to every cut proposed isn’t going to help anything. The state is out of money and can’t fund everything.
The state is not broke. We merely have to revoke the tax cuts to upper income Mainers that are supposed to go into effect down the road. It was irresponsible of the Legislature to impose the tax cuts in the first place and they knew it would create a budget deficit. It’s just dirty politics at the expense of people with disabilities, the elderly, and people with low income.
It’s not the state’s money! The state does not earn any money. I go to work and I earn a paycheck. Those tax cuts are allowing me and other taxpayers to keep the money we earned. We’ve learned that the severely vulnerable are still going to be covered. It’s the rest of it, the stuff that the majority of other states don’t cover, that can, and should, be cut.
So now you are making the completely irrational argument that the government has no right to levy taxes and use them for the public good?
Why do you hate the US Constitutional and system of government so much?
There’s a difference between the levying taxes to use for the public good and raising taxes to pay for excessive spending. I have no problem with the former.
I think levying taxes and using them for the public good is exactly what government is for. What government is not for is to levy taxes and transfer the money to other people. That’s not for the good of the people, its for the good of a class of people. We should all be willing to help the less fortunate, but it is not the job of government to do so.
ok, if it’s not the state’s money, then the roads you drive on and the bridges you drive across, and the schools your kids go to, and the parks you visit, and the list goes on, are not for you to use. Stay home and wrap yourself with that expensive blanket you can now buy but don’t touch any of the infrastructure or services that my tax dollars willingly pay for.
IT IS THE STATES MONEY!!! when you give money to the state for taxes it becomes their money. I know you hate to hear that, but that’s the way it is! It’s been that way for over two hundred years. Deal with it !!!
Those tax cuts have not affected these budget discussions and yes, we are broke.
Huh?
This article is primarily about tThe Republicans control the legislative committee that has canceled the
meeting because the Republican Governor either cannot or will not
provide accurate and complete information about an alleged “crisis” he
claims needs fixing.
Why the incessant whining about Democrats when the current issue belongs 100% to Republicans?
If your memory recall is working think back to what Gov. McKernan left for a balance during his time – remember better now on who to blame:)
Perhaps I’m too old to believe that enough Republicans/Tea Party representatives will put up meaningful opposition to their state “Leader.” I know what they just said publicly but would venture to guess that all they really did this week was try to put a positive spin on a bad situation (i.e. The “Paul Problem”). On the important issues they will side jusssssst…enough to make sure most of LePage’s desires are met. Real change for the better won’t occur until the next election cycle when the reality of their own unemployment (At the hands of voters) smacks them right up beside the head or that backside Paul invited some of us to kiss. YUCK! I’ll just VOTE for nice articulate people instead.
The budget is so far out of hand that even the
budget handlers are running and hiding.
Time to pay the piper.
If they can.
”
Lawmakers have been frustrated by what they characterize as a lack of clear information from the department about the size of the gap between its spending and its allocation of state funds. Questions also remain about the causes of the shortfall.”
What???? Mayhew making s**t up? Hard to believe?
When do they announce the Death Panels?
The entire budget “crisis” was created by inept budgeting by the Lepage administration in the first place.
Now we learn that they are either too incompetent or too dishonest to even supply good current numbers to the legislature.
Many highly qualified financial experts were either fired when Lepage took over (if they were at the higher levels) or have quit because of his nasty mean-spirited demonizing of hard working professionals. Apparently they have no one left who can do the work.
Have you looked at state government job openings over the past few months? The unprecedented enormous volume of openings month after month for financial professionals is not a coincidence. Competent people do not want to work under Mahew and Lepage.
Man you guys have short memories. The Baldacci budget team could never decide if they had a deficit or a surplus. It varied depending on what they wanted the message to be on any given day.
It varied based on input from the non partisan revenue forecasting committee.
If those forecasts were the cause of the current fake “crisis” by Lepage then I would have no problem with it. Those things are not within the control of any governor.
But Mahew admitted to the legislature that the vast majority of the budget overrun was caused by gross errors in the basic math and financial accounting by HER department!
Sounds like the fuzzy math will be coming to a state near you.
Mr LePage you were elected by the minority as such you need to realize what others elected in the same manner seem to know. If you want to effectively lead this State you are going to have build some consensus with our democrat and republican legislators. Threats, bullying and deception is not going to work . You and they are going to have to compromise and keep this State moving.
We the people of this State have a problem — you and the legilature gave us a budget last spring which has some shortfalls — some which you created by knowingly short budgeting, some that were created by the economic times we in and some which is waste
We expect you and our elected representatives to solve this problem — it is time that you and the legislators put all the cards on the table and look at where we can cut and where we need to add to make this work the best we can — no doubt there will have to be some cuts to DHHS but there are probably other budgets that can be cut to make up some of this 200 million shortfall — it would be most helpful if you and your crew could honestly tell us what the real shortfall is
And no we do not want you to have control of Maine State Housing and similar Agencies — you politicans tend to put your sticky fingers in them to balance your budgets thereby creating other shortfalls — case in point the State Retirement Funds
It is time you all rolled up your sleeves and get to work on this– no more name calling, no more threats, no more withholding information, no more sticking monies in slush funds — just some good honest effort to serve the interests of the citizens of this State
#1- CountyBorn, you say,” Mr LePage you were elected by the minority,” not correct, see following Facts.
In the general election, LePage, who was backed by local Tea Party activists, faced off against Democrat Libby Mitchel, and unenrolleds Eliot Cutler, Shawn Moody, and Kevin Scott.
With 94% of precincts reporting on the day after the election, the Bangor Daily News declared LePage the winner, ***carrying 38.1% of the votes***. Cutler was in second place with 36.7% of the votes (fewer than 7,500 votes behind LePage), while Mitchell was a distant third with 19%. Moody and Scott had 5% and 1%, respectively.
#2- Then you say, ” Threats, bullying and deception is not going to work . You and they are going to have to compromise and keep this State moving.” Not right assessment, see last sentence of following paragraph about Victory speech. LePage is the first popularly-elected Franco-American governor of Maine, and the first Republican since John R. McKernan, Jr. was re-elected in 1990. In his victory speech, LePage promised he would shrink government, lower taxes, decrease business regulation, and put …… * “Maine people ahead of politics.” * !!!!
#3- Last 5 words… “Maine people ahead of politics.” That is what he is attempting to do.
***LePage’s press secretary, Adrienne Bennett on Thursday said the governor is the only one who has put a proposal on the table.*** The Only One. Huh, who woulda guessed it ?
***Democrats** have said they are reluctant to offer a counterproposal until they have a better sense of the DHHS budget shortfall, specifically a breakdown of short- versus long-term impact.
In the meantime, timing — and politics — could become an issue.*** Excuses…excuses.
“””As usual, Same old story, same old song and dance….my friend.””” ;<)
#4- "It is time you all rolled up your sleeves and get to work on this– no more name calling, no more threats, no more withholding information, no more sticking monies in slush funds — just some good honest effort to serve the interests of the citizens of this State."
I whole heartedly agree with the majority of your opinion. They need to start considering what is best for the State of Maine in the long run and start chipping away a little at a time to come to some real decisions…Together…soon and stop" playing" Politics.
:)
Other than learning that you have no idea what the word minority means I find little of substance or truthfulness in your long drawn out rant.
Republcians legislators canceled the meeting because Lepage would not or could not give accurate numbers for them to work with. That is the pertinent fact here.
Excuse me Tyke, there are number of different ways to interpret Minority when it comes to politics, in this case I merely misunderstood Countryborn application. Please pardon me for making such a blatant error. Someday I hope to attain to Your perfect status. ;<
If You deemed my statement as a rant, well that's your problem. I don't see you contributing *Any* worthy opinon on much of anything. Try being original with a real contribution sometime, or is that asking to much of such a highly esteemed *people* as yourself?
Have a Great Day Little tyke ! ;<)
Need I forget that you're one of them *Dems* that know it all…'bout nothing.
Do Your Part to Reduce Costs by Reporting Fraud in Maine
Allegations of fraud or attempted fraud involving funds, including Food Stamps,
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services should be sent to:
Fraud, Investigation and Recovery
11 State House Station
Whitten Road
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Phone numbers for DHHS Fraud office are:
1-207-287-2409 and 1-800-442-6003
Further questions and suspicions can also be submitted by e-mail.
Fraud.Dhhs@maine.gov
Contact the Office of the Attorney General
Phone: 207-626-8800
Mailing Address:
Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
http://www.maine.gov/ag/contac…
Do All three, Phone, E-mail and send a Letter.
Follow-up in 30 days with a Certified letter if no response.
Send a letter Directly to the Governor’s Office, that should get their attention.
Keep a written log of actions and attempts to notify. Hold them Responsible!
You ASSume too much —- again!
I am a register Republican and have been for longer than most folks posting here have been alive.
It becomes increasingly clear to me that the 2 party system in this country does not work. Politcians should be ashamed of supporting a bill just because it originated by another member if his/her party !
#1 38.1% is 38.1% no matter how you cut it — once someone is elected even under these circumstances they have to serve 100% — this generally means they have to find some way to satisfy the other 61.9% — from the sounds of things Mr LePage has yet to figure that out
#2 ” Maine people ahead of politics ” — failing to adequtely budget funds thereby helping to create a budgetary shortfall — claiming we can not support PNMIs while slush funding 39 million knowing we have to support PNMIs — you have to support my budget requests or I will have to close schools — I seem to think this is all about playing politics and little in the way of taking care of the people of Maine
#3 ” Maine people ahead of politics ” — “… the governor is the only one who has put a proposal on the table.” — Democrats have said they are reluctant to offer a counterproposal they have a better idea of sense of the DHHS budget shortfall, specifically a breakdown of short- versus long -term impact. — Members of the Appropriation Committee have said recently they need more information from the department before continuing deliberations on the proposed cuts. —- sounds like Mr LePage and crew are withholding informatin so our legislators ( democrat and republican) can make informed decisions. Same old game of politics.
He was elected and told Maine people what to expect if he was elected. Just because it was 38.1% that voted him in does not mean that he has to become Libby Mitchell. He is doing exactly what he said he would do. Baldacci never once considered what I wanted in his eight years but you didn’t complain then because you were on his side and that’s fine because he was who we elected. Now its LePage and rather than criticize every single breath the man takes, you might step back, think for a change and then decide if he is trying to make things better for Maine. If you disagree, you get to vote again in 3 more years.
You are right. i have steped back and think in my opinion the best direction for the people of Maine is to Impeach this joke acting as a Governor of the people with deep pockets. Make Sense?:)
You want to impeach LePage, but never a peep about Baldacci. Let’s examine the “accomplishments” of the Previous 38% governor…
* – The failed Mainecare computer billing system that cost us $80 million in direct costs (and probably twice that in real costs) for absolutely nothing.
* – A former prominent Dem legislator stealing the MTA blind while no one in the Baldacci administration had a clue what was going on.
* – The sale of the state liquor business to politically connected Dem insiders at a fire sale price (we’ll be paying for that one for years to come).
* – The “loss” of a hundred million from DHHS without a trace. The
clueless Baldacci administration didn’t even seem to care where it went.
* – The sale of prison system property to connected public employee in a no-bid deal that once again the clueless Baldacci administration was unaware of at best. Turns out this was SOP during the Baldacci regime.
* – The failure that is Dirigo health that was going to… Insure ALL of the uninsured in 5 years (FAIL), Lower premiums for everyone (FAIL), be self supporting and NEVER require any tax money (EPIC FAIL).
*- Now we’re just beginning to see the scandal that is Maine State Housing Authority and the waste and mismanagement (at best and perhaps even fraud) from the Baldacci appointee Dale McCormick.
Compared to the previous governor LePage is a freaking genius.
A few *Forgotten Facts* to them *Dems.* Read it and WHINE !!! ;<) Google Mr. Baldacci.
In 2004, Baldacci signed executive order 13 FY 04/05 titled "An Order Concerning Access to State Services By All Entitled Maine Residents", which, among other things, prohibited state employees from inquiring about immigration status when people apply for public assistance or services. Due to this executive order, his political opponents have labeled Maine a "sanctuary state" for illegal immigrants.
Following info courtesy of, The Kennebec Journal…October 10, 2010
Maine’s welfare system offers one of the most generous benefits packages in the nation.
Almost 30 percent of our population receives some form of benefit. Between 2003 and 2010, Maine’s welfare enrollment grew 70 percent (from 226,000 to 381,000), according to a report from the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank.
Is that really “Maine, the way life should be?”
Maine ranks second in the nation in all three major welfare programs: Food stamps, cash public assistance (TANF) and in Medicaid enrollment as a percent of total population, according to the Maine Heritage Policy Center
Gov. John Baldacci’s executive order in 2004 effectively turned Maine into a sanctuary state. According to the last census in 2000, Maine’s population of illegal immigrants ranged in the thousands.
How many may be currently accessing our tax funded welfare system? How can we possibly know? Maine employees are prohibited from inquiring about immigration status.
A residency requirement could save our state hundreds of thousands of dollars paid in benefits to illegal immigrants as well as immigrants who aren’t qualified to receive benefits under the federal umbrella
Recovery begins one step at a time. Let’s take our first step toward protecting Maine people by empowering Maine employers to ask for immigration status before asking, “What can we give you?”
i’m sure you mean governor FOR the people with deep pockets. Note that his teaparty cronies would rather pony up $500 a plate for his re-election campain than pony up their fair share of taxes. That’s the error of our political system – money from special interest groups (read as corporations) is willingly spent to court favors. It is cheaper for them to buy a politician who has their interests at heart than to pay their fair share of the tax burden.
38.1% is not a majority, it is a plurality. what CountyBorn most likely meant is that LePage was not elected by a majority- far from it. he behaves like he was elected in a landslide. he is way too full of himself and with no good reason.
A few *Forgotten Facts* to them *Dems.* Read it and WHINE !!! ;<) Google Mr. Baldacci.
In 2004, Baldacci signed executive order 13 FY 04/05 titled "An Order Concerning Access to State Services By All Entitled Maine Residents", which, among other things, prohibited state employees from inquiring about immigration status when people apply for public assistance or services. Due to this executive order, his political opponents have labeled Maine a "sanctuary state" for illegal immigrants.
Following info courtesy of, The Kennebec Journal…October 10, 2010
Maine’s welfare system offers one of the most generous benefits packages in the nation.
Almost 30 percent of our population receives some form of benefit. Between 2003 and 2010, Maine’s welfare enrollment grew 70 percent (from 226,000 to 381,000), according to a report from the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank.
Is that really “Maine, the way life should be?”
Maine ranks second in the nation in all three major welfare programs: Food stamps, cash public assistance (TANF) and in Medicaid enrollment as a percent of total population, according to the Maine Heritage Policy Center
Gov. John Baldacci’s executive order in 2004 effectively turned Maine into a sanctuary state. According to the last census in 2000, Maine’s population of illegal immigrants ranged in the thousands.
How many may be currently accessing our tax funded welfare system? How can we possibly know? Maine employees are prohibited from inquiring about immigration status.
A residency requirement could save our state hundreds of thousands of dollars paid in benefits to illegal immigrants as well as immigrants who aren’t qualified to receive benefits under the federal umbrella
Recovery begins one step at a time. Let’s take our first step toward protecting Maine people by empowering Maine employers to ask for immigration status before asking, “What can we give you?”
Please remove this comment like you have the others. Make sure you take off anyone saying something intelligent. Is this paper run by the Heritage group. I will monitor your progress. Thank-you.
Please take off the comment. I need to be censored.
Do Your Part to Reduce Costs by Reporting Fraud in Maine
Allegations of fraud or attempted fraud involving funds, including Food Stamps,
administered by the Department of Health and Human Services should be sent to:
Fraud, Investigation and Recovery
11 State House Station
Whitten Road
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011
Phone numbers for DHHS Fraud office are:
1-207-287-2409 and 1-800-442-6003
Further questions and suspicions can also be submitted by e-mail.
Fraud.Dhhs@maine.gov
Contact the Office of the Attorney General
Phone: 207-626-8800
Mailing Address:
Office of the Attorney General
6 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
http://www.maine.gov/ag/contac…
Do All three, Phone, E-mail and send a Letter.
Follow-up in 30 days with a Certified letter if no response.
Send a letter Directly to the Governor’s Office, that should get their attention.
Keep a written log of actions and attempts to notify. Hold them Responsible!
I agree that the state needs to make sure that fraud gets dealt with. Fiscally, it’s a small problem but emotionally it undermines people’s confidence in these programs and that’s why it’s important to address it. Just don’t spend more money on wiping out fraud than you save.
Ah, there’s the problem.
It is right up there with spending millions to drug test people in order to save a few tens of thousands.
Fiscal conservatives my Aunt Fanny!
It’s been a minute. Catch up. Censor ME.
Santa Clause is not real. Censor me.
Sill waiting.
Spend more…tax more…hmmmmmmmm…it is like a dog eating his own tail…EVENTUALLY he will run out of dog…then what????????? They need to reduce the amount they spend…OR they will be in a situation where they have no choice but to cut programs and other things…a bunch of morons on both sides of the aisle…
“If Democrats compromise and pass a two-thirds budget, some fear it gives Republicans a green light to push through everything else on their agenda with a simple majority vote. If Democrats hold out and force Republicans to pass a budget with a simply majority, they risk politicizing what some feel are serious cuts in services to people who drastically need them.”
An explanation of how a Democratic compromise would give the Republicans the green light to push through everything else is lacking.
“It gives” should be “would give.” “Simply” should be “simple.”
These stories really should be edited before being posted.
That Scott Walker vulture is circling even now as we speak ! And everytime the LePage and the TP’s start whining and crying, it just starts circling lower and lower. MaineNative has it right. Everytime that the TP’s and the whiner’s cry about the State being broke they come out with their old sob stories. I just wonder who’s looking after WhoIsPete’s mom and dad if there medical insurance suddenly decides to drop them because of a ‘pre-exisitng condition’ ? That is what this cut that LePage proposes is going to lead to.
I know I am in the VERY BIG MINORITY but folks, like it or not, PUBLIC OPTION in some form is going to happen. This current budget ‘bunny hump’ is very likely the trigger. Now, either LePage and the whiner’s and cryer’s can get on board and work toward a solution or just do us all a favor and resign and get out of the way for those of us who want to find a way to make it work. Either way Governor, it’s time to pony up for the citizen’s, not your campaign contributor’s . And if you can’t, well, the vulture’s keep circling and time is on their side.
The government is good at making a committee for everything, hire an independent audit firm to figure this mess out. They could probably do it in 30 days or less. The State must not have the qualified people to do it, then maybe the Dems would be forced to do something besides say they need more info and wait till next year. The State is like the Post Office, waiting for someone to have the nerve to make a decision.
LePage wants control of the housing authority so he can destroy it. Plus, the majority of housing authority funds come from the federal government which limits the use of these funds. LePage wants more and more power.
LePage and his incompetent Maine Heritage Policy Center cronies need more time to cook up bigger and better GOP Budget Fairy Tales to justify throwing the elderly and severely disabled out in the street.
Tea Party “government” is a bad joke.
There are good reasons and bad reasons to delay action.
To postpone decisions making because it advances your own agenda is bad. This is the mechanism we have seen bring the U.S. Congress to a pathetic crawl in dealing with our on-going economic nightmare.
To postpone decisions because the underlying facts of an alleged problem are unclear (at best) is good. That is exactly what the legislature (both Republicans and Democrats) decided this week.
Having stunned the state with news of another recently discovered “financial crisis,” Paul LePage dramatically proposed a draconian supplemental budget that horrified just about everybody. Yet from the beginning, his office has admitted they aren’t exactly sure how or why it came to be nor how big the shortfall actually is.
Assurances that the facts and figures would be forthcoming were given but our lawmakers prudently said, “Show me” and have now been stalled by a broken promise.
How much credibility should the average Mainer give to the Governor’s cries of “Wolf?”
Once the Republicans get rid of the social safety net, every non-millionaire in Maine will be grateful to work for 50 cents per day. Then watch the JOBS start flooding back into our state from (other) 3rd world countries. Quite a scheme.
A few *Forgotten Facts* to them *Dems.* Read it and WHINE !!! ;<) Google Mr. Baldacci.
In 2004, Baldacci signed executive order 13 FY 04/05 titled "An Order Concerning Access to State Services By All Entitled Maine Residents", which, among other things, prohibited state employees from inquiring about immigration status when people apply for public assistance or services. Due to this executive order, his political opponents have labeled Maine a "sanctuary state" for illegal immigrants.
Following info courtesy of, The Kennebec Journal…October 10, 2010
Maine’s welfare system offers one of the most generous benefits packages in the nation.
Almost 30 percent of our population receives some form of benefit. Between 2003 and 2010, Maine’s welfare enrollment grew 70 percent (from 226,000 to 381,000), according to a report from the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank.
Is that really “Maine, the way life should be?”
Maine ranks second in the nation in all three major welfare programs: Food stamps, cash public assistance (TANF) and in Medicaid enrollment as a percent of total population, according to the Maine Heritage Policy Center
Gov. John Baldacci’s executive order in 2004 effectively turned Maine into a sanctuary state. According to the last census in 2000, Maine’s population of illegal immigrants ranged in the thousands.
How many may be currently accessing our tax funded welfare system? How can we possibly know? Maine employees are prohibited from inquiring about immigration status.
A residency requirement could save our state hundreds of thousands of dollars paid in benefits to illegal immigrants as well as immigrants who aren’t qualified to receive benefits under the federal umbrella
Recovery begins one step at a time. Let’s take our first step toward protecting Maine people by empowering Maine employers to ask for immigration status before asking, “What can we give you?”