AUGUSTA, Maine — Senate Democrats late Thursday blocked passage of a supplemental budget for the Department of Health and Human Service just hours after their counterparts in the House approved it.
The compromise budget bill, LD 1816, cuts approximately $120 million from the current fiscal year DHHS budget through a combination of changes to MaineCare eligibility and shifting funds from various accounts. It also includes an additional several million in savings across state government that were identified by a budget streamlining committee last fall.
The House vote was 109-27, well above the two-thirds majority needed for the budget to go into effect immediately.
When it came to the Senate, though, only three Democrats voted in favor, leaving the final tally well below the two-thirds threshold.
“I’m stunned,” said Sen. Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, the Senate chair of the Appropriations Committee. “We were promised by [Democratic] leadership that they would deliver the votes.”
Senate President Kevin Raye of Perry said the Democrats were obstructing the process.
Sen. Phil Bartlett, D-Gorham, said he and other Senate Democrats have reservations about a budget moving so quickly.
“We want to make sure we’re putting Maine people first,” he said. “We don’t want to pass a budget that creates winners and losers.”
The Senate is expected to revisit the budget bill next Tuesday.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, the House passed the budget with a last-minute amendment.
Rep. Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop, the House chair of the Appropriations Committee and one of the main brokers of the budget compromise, said Thursday there was “no joy in discussion of or passage of LD 1816.”
But he also pointed out that the budget committee passed the bill unanimously, a reflection of the great lengths its members went to compromise.
Rep. Peggy Rotundo of Lewiston, the lead Democrat on Appropriations, stressed that the compromise “is not a Democratic budget,” but said it was important to pass it anyway.
“We come to this agreement with great concern and pause,” she said. “However, we believe this budget allows us to keep the lights on, pay providers and continue to provide access to health care for many who wouldn’t have it under the governor’s original proposal.”
In December, Gov. Paul LePage released his plan to trim $220 million from DHHS in 2012 and 2013. That initial plan included stronger structural changes to MaineCare that would have removed an estimated 65,000 Mainers from government-funded health care.
Appropriations Committee members rejected some items in the governor’s budget and worked for weeks to find alternatives.
That compromise was to split the budget in two. The piece that passed on Thursday deals largely with the 2012 fiscal year. An additional $80 million in proposed cuts to the DHHS budget for 2013 are expected to be debated in a separate bill later this month.
Still, the compromise reached last week hung in jeopardy over the weekend after some Republican House members expressed concerns.
A last-minute amendment that passed in the House addressed those concerns and also included something the Democrats wanted.
The amendment first removed a provision from the budget that dealt with a tax on insurance claims with Dirigo Health, a sticking point for conservative House members.
Originally, the tax rate was set to drop from 1.87 to 1.64 percent but the budget proposed keeping the tax at 1.87 percent, allowing the state to retain about $5 million in revenue. The amendment ensures that the rate reduction goes into effect.
In exchange for that piece, House Democrats wanted to restore an estimated $14 million in funding to hospitals for the rest of fiscal year 2012 and 2013. LePage initially proposed cutting reimbursements to hospitals by $42 million, but the amendment allows the hospital to keep two-thirds of that total in exchange for a $14 million payment to the state.
The final element in the House amendment establishes a sunset date for childless adults, or noncategoricals, to be removed entirely from MaineCare rolls. That piece was pushed by the governor, according to House members, but likely will not matter much because care for noncategoricals is included in the federal Affordable Care Act.
Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, D-Orono, said she was not happy about the last-minute “deal making done in the dark of night.”
“I believe in a process that has been corrupted and the people in the state of Maine are not served by this process,” she said.
Others, however, pointed out that the amendment received unanimous approval from Democrats and Republicans on the Appropriations Committee.
But Bartlett said it wasn’t the amendment that caused Senate Democrats to balk.
“We’ll continue to have discussion with all parties to find a way to pass a budget,” he said.
Some major elements of the compromise proposal include:
- Capping MaineCare funding for childless adults, or noncategoricals, at $40 million by freezing enrollment and through natural attrition.
- Reducing the eligibility threshold for parents of children on MaineCare from 200 percent of the federal poverty level to 133 percent. That change will not take effect until October.
- Eliminating $2 million from the Fund for Healthy Maine.
- Requiring DHHS to substitute generic drugs for brand-name when appropriate for MaineCare participants.
Gov. LePage has expressed displeasure with the compromise budget in the last week, but it’s still not clear if he will support it. His spokeswoman, Adrienne Bennett, said early Thursday that the governor wants to see the final bill and any amendments before he weighs in.
Once it’s passed, the budget goes to the governor, who then has 10 days to sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.
Heck no it isn’t a democratic budget…….it is nearly responsible !
You understand there’s a distinction between ‘democratic’ and Democrat’?
Obama 2012.
Debt to our children and more debt to our grandchildren with no chance of either of them ever getting social security. Obama deserves re-election. NOT!!!!!
What? in the world does that have to do with this subject? We have incurred debt, as a nation, since WW 2, and if it wasn’t for a democrat, there wouldn’t be ANY social security. So exactly what is your point?
How is it that we bail our corporations, allow foreign imports and wage war……all during the time that we were…..waging war? If you don’t think that our aptitude waging war isn’t renown through out the world, the Republican’s love to wage war……it’s good business. Wanna take a look at the last two?
Obama has incurred more debt than all the U. S. Presidents combined. The liberals think this is a good thing. I guess the libs will be especially happy when our nation goes belly-up, like Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain. A vote for Obama is a vote to bring the Greece riots to a store near you. NOT!!!
As far as the wars are concerned, who was the first U. S. President who sent troops to Vietnam? It was JFK. Come to think of it, we’re in Obama’s wars now.
I believe what you meant to say is that Obama inherited a terrible economy. Those are W’s wars and they aren’t cheap, but we will win the oil.
You are wrong….JFK never wanted to fight the war in Southeast Asia.
And you were asked who was the first president to wage war? Do some history, Since George Washington wasn’t president until after the revolution, it would have been James Madison, who’s wife rescued the Washington portrait out of the burning White House.
And, you seem to have forgotten a many wars since, like..the Civil War, how about WWI , oh and lets not forget..WW 2, There’s others….but you seem to forget.
The only problem with war is that we aren’t allowed to fight to the best of our ability. We could crush them in a week for a sliver of the cost. People like you are the reason that Iran and North Korea have no fear of our abilities. All because the liberals can’t stomach a little collateral damage.
“The only problem with war is that we aren’t allowed to fight to the best of our ability”? I always thought killing was a real draw back to war. Old cowards start wars and brave young men get maimed and killed trying to end them. I always felt that was a draw back to war as well. Thanks for pointing out the ONLY problem with war! lol.
No need for any of our brave men or women to be maimed or killed. To be finished in a week requires no ground troops.
When America goes to war, we try to do so without killing innocent people. Your “method” does not take this into consideration. 99% of the time a war is started by some radical nut job that only has the support of their country men at the point of a gun. Most people are against war for any reason. You would obviously welcome the opportunity to kill them all and let God sort them out.
You are completely wrong. The presidents who created the most debt were Reagan and W. It’s true.
wrong wrong wrong! Obama has inflated the national debt more in the last 3 1/4 YEARS than ALL other presidents combined!!!
Sorry, but that is not correct. Do the research. The two worse presidents for debt were Reagan and W. Really it’s true.
Obama hasn’t had time to incur debt, he’s been busy cleaning up after the wars. The economy is upward, the fact is that whatever he is doing, the pointers are pointing upward. Now, having said that. How can you explain the controversies and the selectiveness between you candidates? Romney, a Mass. former gov. who is from actually Michigan, is having a hard time winning THAT state. He won this state because………Charile Webster said so?
You need to recalculate your numbers, Romney didn’t win, and Obama’s number’s are up.
Be honest. JFK had serious documented reservations about getting involved in Vietnam. He sent advisors. Johnson sent in the troops. And why bring up history that is 45 years old. That hardly takes the pressure off W, who got us into 2 wars costing many american lives, and brought us from being on top of the word, to the bottom in his last 4 years in office. He had a balanced budget going in, and nearly bankrupted us within 8 years.
Thanks for spouting FakeNews and Rush Limpmind cement-headed lies and talking points, as usual.
Got an original thought of your own, or do these goofballs do all your thinking for you?
Was that a rhetorical question? lol.
… pants on fire.
Obama put the cost of two wars and Medicare part d onto the budget Hidden by the previous administration in the supplemental budget!
Eisenhower, a Republican, sent 900 “military advisors” to South Vietnam, making him the first to send troops there. But why are we talking about the Vietnam War, when this is an article about the state budget?
I bet all the economic problems in Maine the last 40+ years is George Bush’s fault. It’s his fault Liberals expanded Welfare to unsustainable levels. It’s his fault that our roads and bridges are awful that we don’t have at least 1 East-West Highway if not more than 1. He is the reason why Democrats policies in Maine has our education rankings down to 27th in the country. He sure helped Liberals here in Maine raise taxes on Maine businesses, on the Maine people time after time that drove out all of our jobs, businesses closing , Maine people leaving for better opportunities. It’s his fault we had a restrictive Nanny State until LePage took over. It’s not George Bush’s fault. Instead it is Baldacci’s, Angus King’s fault as Governor’s and Democrats like Libby Mitchell, Both Pingrees, Emily Cain, John Martin, Bethany Edmonds, Justin Alfond, Cynthia Dill, Peggy Rotundo the last 40 years. Why we have the mess we have here in Maine today.
Now, how is it that you can conflagurate national policies with state policies?
First of all, the East/West Highway was first introduced by the then Senate President Pray, a democrat and was thwarted by a then Republican governor, McKernan. The East West highway is not a new idea, it’s a good idea that the republicans didn’t like.
And, why is it that you continually speak, and talk and recite governmental officals that have not have a thing to say in the last year? Your Governor knew of the numbers, and your governor chose not to be forthright with the most important body he should have been, the Appropriations Committee, and it’s gonna cost him.
It’s never George Jr’s fault…..then why is it he attacked a country (that his father went to war with) after 9/11? Ok…all the evidence has always pointed toward Afghanistan and Pakistan……and he ….attacks….IRAQ? A country that has never harbored Bin Laden, but, a country that is rich in oil???
Let’s get focused DK, there were no WMD’s, there were no reason’s to enter that country. If he was an honorable president, he would have at least taken a shot at bin laden, he did not. Clinton wounded him, the President got him…..live with it.
I speak about them because they are the people who created this mess. We are dealing with their shortfalls and the mistakes from their spending habits. We wouldn’t be in this mess if we cut the budget and cut welfare. Thankfully according to the PPH the Senate saw the light and voted down this farce of a compromise tonight by a 22-13 vote.
And the funny thing is….This President, that did get Bin Laden…ask that President who never went after him to join in the retribution glory, and That president said NO!
OMG here goes Darkcat with his 40 year comment.can’t you think up something new?
Typical Clueless Liberal who has nothing to say but always attacks the working folks like myself who are busting our butts every day. But what do you expect from Out of Touch Liberals in Maine. They continue to refuse to accept the cold hard facts . They are the reason why we have to continue to deal with this shortfall every year. We wouldn’t be in this mess if they weren’t in power for 40 years expanding welfare to just about everyone. Folks like you are the problem. You all think we should continue to dole out Welfare to everyone. That the Working folks we should love having our taxes increased all the time to pay for these lazy bums. Well News Flash it’s not going to happen folks like myself would love to rather see DHHS run out of money. Then all of the Welfare Bums seeing them crying because they have no more freebies it would be priceless. All of us working folks would be drinking beer , celebrating laughing when these folks would have to get jobs instead of sitting home collecting Welfare. Hopefully this farce keeps getting voted down because all this proposal does is screwing the working people with having to continue to pay for all of these bums.
Well, dark has changed it up a little. He was blaming democratic governors for the past 40 years until I pointed out that counting LePage we had 2 dems., 2 repubs., and 2 independents. Now he’s blaming others, but you’re right, same old rhetoric garbage. He sure posts a lot of comments for someone that is “working folk out there busting his butt every day”. Wonder what his job is besides defending LePage, trashing democrats and independents, blaming the country’s woes on the poor, old, and sick, and worrying about what gays are doing in their bedrooms?
I think his “job” is collecting state paid rent subsidy from the “welfare” tenants in his apartment building. He’s way too busy keeping an eye on their every move to do real work like you and I.
Yes you are correct. What had ss got us? Before SS people worked and got a RETIREMENT from there employer. Due to the dems making the gov the caretaker most busniesses gave up those plans and let the fed do it. The dems nor wanting to leave it as the SUPLEMENTAL retirement income it was meant for kept putting more and more people on it. Today some KIDS born in Maine hospitals start getting ss checks withen days of being born. We shoud end it it is a stupid program that has like all liberal programs has far far outgrown the ability to sustain it.
does it really matter? any chance to get the word out about the most flagrant disease to hit the USA is obama.
True, we started to become an entitlement society with FDR and continue to become more so with every passing decade. Can’t put entitlement programs away once people get their hands on them. Take a hard look at Greece. That’s what we’ll look like before too many more years!
Yeah, massive debt caused by insane job killing mega tax cuts for the Republican Rich who hide their money in the Cayman Islands, massive debt caused by Republican tax giveaways to their corporate masters in the oil industry who own them like puppets, massive debt caused by the Republican love affair with the bloated military industrial complex, massive debt caused by the Republican love affair with the drug companies who wrote their budget busting drug law, and on and on. Don’t like debt? Then vote out the ultra corrupt TeaRadical Republicans. I am glad to see you like Social Security which your Republican leaders spend their lives trying to destroy, like anything good for the middle class which they also despise in general. Also, thank DEMOCRATS for Social Security since they created it over the objections of the Republicans you love so much.
Speaking of offshore tax evasion, how about Sussman buying a seat on the Press Herald. I guess that’s OK since he and Rochelle are Dems.
And thanks Democrats for creating Social Security. You took my hard earned money and spent it while insulating yourselves from the fallout. Even the Maine Dems knew it was a bad idea and exempted themselves and the public drones from participating in that Ponzi scheme.
That ‘no social security left’ bullcrap has been around since I was 5 and probably before that. 50 years of hearing about it…sick of it.
Yes I certainly do……
I am tired of the democratic parties liberal plan that doesn’t consider the human element of laziness, only looking at what other people have.
Obama has to go
yes yes yes!! I agree! Just liking your reply didn’t go far enough! :-)
And be replaced by whom? One of the republicans that have stonewalled Obama’s every attempt to advance the country. Their goal hasn’t been to improve anything, just to make Obama look ineffective for the past year, so they have a shot at the presidency, instead of doing the people’s work.
Obama has to stay, hopefully with a democrat house and senate.
Take a minute and look at the budget that Barry proposed this week. Even Turbo Tax Cheat Timmy says it is unsustainable. (He said the same thing last year too.) That is why the Dems haven’t passed a budget in more than 1000 days. Even his own party won’t vote for it. Barrys attempt to advance this country right into socialism has been blocked by Republicans thank goodness and by his own party often times. Barry + the House + Senate equals the end of the USA as we know it.
I feel the same as Jennifer C!!!!!
“LePage has expressed displeasure with the compromise budget in the last week, but it’s still not clear if he will support it.” Your kidding right Mr. Russell? It involves something that Mr. LePage doesn’t understand, compromise. Thus he’ll consider it dead on arrival when and if it hits his desk. Of course the real fun won’t begin until his veto gets overturned. Then the real fun will begin! Can’t wait to hear Paul offer up another “Piece of his mind” on this budget that clearly isn’t “His.” Guess sometimes the “Wooky” (Some old Star Wars humor) doesn’t get to win.
No the budget is a farce he should not only VETO it. Then announce he will shut the state down with the exception of a few departments including Gambling to keep revenue coming in till January 2, 2013. It is time to send everyone in Augusta, Liberals in Maine a message that he is not being intimidated, them not holding the State and Maine taxpayers hostage with this farce of a compromise. It is time to make these much needed cuts to move our state moving in a much positive direction.
I wish it were the Senate Republicans who were showing some backbone and rejecting this farce of a budget compromise–but I am holding out for a slim hope that intransigent Democrats may force the Republicans to play hard ball. But I doubt it. I see Republicans caving a bit more to get the Democrats on board so they get the 2/3 vote. Then I see LePage letting the budget take effect without his signature.
I ain’t got no crystal ball, but I am getting a vision of how things will continue to be in Maine…We’ll be back addressing the DHHS shortfall every year till the earth falls into the sun.
I thought you wanted a “complete” state shutdown a couple of days ago.
Im with you Darkcat.. I cant believe that knowing of the alternatives that they would not accept this budget. Its the one that hurts the least and starts to fix the problem now instead of dealing with it year after year. Now something has to happen and it may not be as a attractive as this package was .
Finally, Maine is actually making progress. I give credit to some of the democrats for doing the right thing. That’s truly what it is all about, doing the right thing.
I will give credit to the republicans for doing the right thing……..it’s our world that we have to live in, not the Tea Party’s.
Right. I give credit to both parties and to all the members of the legislature. Sorry that it hit this roadblock, but am sure it will move forward next Tuesday. Now, if that same spirit can move on to Washington we can get all of our problems solved relatively quickly; since there are very smart people on both sides of the aisle. This was a very difficult problem here in Maine, yet they did it. This should get national attention and be encouraging to everyone; at a time we really need it..
Yes, I’m a registered Democrat (and former Republican) — I know State Senator Richard Rosen (R – Bucksport) and think he’s been doing a great job on the budget process. He’s been working hard to get a fair and workable budget passed. There are good people in both major parties trying to do the best for Maine and get the job done.
Yes, indeed – Sen. Rosen.. He sucks of $9,000,000 in stealth off the top of the state budget (Perk of leadership) for his Maine Maritime (sports and spa) Academy and then determines how much has to be cut from the Judicial system, prisions system, law enforcement, health care, elderly care, environment protection, transportation infrastructure, and K-12 education to pay for it. Nice Guy.
Do you think that Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) belongs to Sen. Rosen? You say it is “his”. Actually, MMA is a state college, and it belongs to the people of Maine. Most of the students come from Maine, and they are trained there — with an extremely high placement rate — to be merchant marine and U.S. Navy officers, engineers, etc. So if Sen. Rosen is helping Mainers get good jobs, by his helping MMA get necessary funding, I’d say Rosen is doing a good job for Maine. Good for him!
The tea party group has an opinion rus, just like you. And they live in the same world as you with the same rights and privileges.
Oh I understand Entitled, and there have been many sects of both party’s. I guess my point is that politics aside, and there are times when politics must be set aside, that both party’s on the Committee responded honorably. I guess I just don’t think that the Governor is a very good representative of the Tea Party ideals, I think he does it because he knows that other’s are trying. Not because it’s a good idea, it’s because other’s are doing it and in my opinion, that’s not good leadership, that’s following others, not leading this state. For instance; he indicates that the committee and the legislature have been considering this for 74 days, but yet he did not even submit a budget until Dec. 6th. The fact of the matter is he knew last February about the shortfall, that is 365 days.
The Democrats hate working people. It should be obvious now.
I think the proposed cuts are the smartest and safest cuts. If we are not able to make THESE cuts..Im not sure what cuts and where are to made. The proposed cuts do not effect the people who need the help the most. The working people of Maine deserve the respect to not spend their money in ways that create a deficit in the state of Maine. On the news this morning I saw 2 stories back to back . The story about this where the democrat is crying for the poor. The next story reporting that workmans comp will be benefits for those receiving help now. I didnt see anyone crying for the people in from which this money came to insure childless and not working young adults. I think that no one realizes or cares where this money is coming from in the first place. But clearly this kind of dance cant last. Federal help is diminishing and we are going to end up holding the bag on all this. Meanwhile while most will be sitting around the house all day checking updates and comments on this page the rest of us will be working to pay for their internet connect and most everything else .. Even the cheetos they are eating … At some point someone need to start crying for the working class in Maine and maybe they might be able work and live within the means without having to make real sacrifices while everyone else does and says about anything to protect their mail box check
Now this is just a silly argument. If you are talking about retired people they have already paid into the system, have arranged their finances so they can afford the computer they are using, the internet service, and the cheetos they are eating. If you are talking about people on disability they too paid into the system until they became disabled. If you are talking about someone using food stamps, in section 8 housing, etc., I doubt they can afford anything but the cheetos. If you are talking about someone on their day off, well they get to spend that time any way they want. And, excuse me now, as I have to get ready for WORK.
Im talking about any of those kids of people at all.. Im talking of all the ones that do not fit the qualifications . I guess from now on Im going to post a list of the people that are not included in my opinions. Even tho I have gone over that time and time again. The only real remarks I read are ones such as yours. I do not mean retired, disabled, ex military, mentally handicapped or anyone that is on workers comp. I dont think I have say that every time because I would assume that would be a given. Over and over again. The same response. Never once addressing the ones that I am obviously referring. So. That should be cleared up now. Ill make sure I have a disclaimer at the start of all of my comments.
Gee, I am a Democrat and I am a working person. I don’t hate myself or my co-workers who are Democrats. I believe it’s the Republicans who would rather give tax cuts under the gise of creating jobs which will rarely happen and if they do, will not provide a living wage. Take Walmart for an excellent example!!!
WalMart, hated by liberals for employing people that the left would rather see on welfare and beholden to THEM.
No. Liberals hate WalMart because they exploit foreign workers and pay them a pittance to make their products under inhumane conditions. Once the products return to the US for sale, the workers here aren’t paid a living wage to sell them. Most of the people who work at Walmart qualify for MaineCare and foodstamps and need that help in order to take care of their families, even though they have jobs and work hard. WalMart also prevents workers from organizing to negotiate for better pay and benefits. That just scratches the surface……
Would you just please be quiet, you’re making way too much sense for this “right” crowd. M4E types just won’t/don’t get it. Save your breath. Unless of course you were being selfish and posted just to keep your head from exploding. In that case you’re spot on.
They already are on welfare. It is called public assistance wages. Companies like Walmart should be charged a fee to recoup the taxpayers money.
im forced to agree with you to a certain point. I know people who work at wal mart. Some love their jobs because they are working to hep their spouses make ends meet. The work schedule is flexible and these people so not need health insurance and they already have it. But the ones that are trying to make a living there isnt working very well. They clearly are taking advantage of desperate people. Paying them almost nothing and keeping them from getting health insurance by making sure they cant get 40 hours a week. This is wrong. Paying them next to nothing and making them live from day to day is dead wrong. But on the other hand. There really arent to many other choices for employment. Same goes for the Depot im sure Lowes. Yes Wal Mart should be forced to contribute to this fund as well and be forced to give health benefits to people who lets say have worked there for how ever long and is willing and able to meet the work requirements to achieve the quota for insurance benefits,,
Yeah right, I feel the love coming from Laplague and the rethugs, cutting unemployment, gutting workers comp, going after unions with the right to work for less legislation, keeping the minimum wage down, etc. The list goes on and on. Any working person who votes R has to be very confused indeed.
With that list (and it goes on?), why would anyone want or need to work?? You are very confused indeed!
Those are all designed to EQUAL the playing field between labor and buisness.
All are for “Working ” people who have been Failed by Buisness abuses!
“Working people” is liberal code for “our non-working supporters”.
Considering that working people are the ones footing the bill for all the programs you just rattled off and are apparantly proud of, I’d say that you are the one who is a bit confused and, shall we say, obtuse in your thinking.
Right, so you’re aginst workman’s comp, or do you think it should come free (without anyone paying any taxes)?
This bill passes the committee unanimously. It was the liberal/progs in the Senate that killed it. They have NO interest in compromise or doing what is right for working and poor Mainers, only what is politically expedient.
Answer me one question. At what point in the past 40 years was Maine doing good? The liberal way has been all Maine has known for the past 40 years. So we know for sure that way is faulty and does not work. In that past 40 years the #1 employer in the state has become the state. In those 4o years almost every major employer has left the state. in the past 40 years no major companies and moved into the state. in the past 40 years every tax and fee and gone up almost yearly yet the services those tax dollars the working pay do not go to what they are needed for Ie roads schools LE Fire and such no no we increase welfare programs free full free food free day care free refrigerators and so on and so on. Please tell what GOOD has been done in the way of Maine by the liberal leadership of the past 40 years???? Unless you count the massive increase in those who do nothing but are supported by our tax dollars and the massive decrease in companies hiring cause of course they are all gone. This is your idea of the right way to run Maine?
….
posting on facebook all day from the office of your “Non-Profit” or government agency isn’t really what most people would consider working …
….
I never really got caught up in politics… I meanI had my views and I always assumed that people who were getting welfare needed it and that it was a means to an escape from it. I assumed that it was a resected and properly used system. I assumed that planning ones life was part of normal thinking. I assumed while I was working and not really paying attention to things. That people could understand the basic definition of a budget and that choices have to be made in order to make it all balance . I assumed that even the democrats could see that the system is only as good as funding and that it that it has to be watched and properly distributed . I assumed that people were intelligent that were in these positions. I assumed that there was some fraud and that there were people policing this and that it was limited. I assumed this was common thinking. When I was going thru my life as a young man with my wife that we waited to have children and that even tho we struggled started at the bottom at our jobs that new cars, houses all come but only with hard work budgeting and sacrifices. That the end result is the pay off. I learned to live within our means and tho my wife wanted to have children from the start she was patient and at 27 when I picked up a solid second job we decided to have one. When I bought my house in 94 we had to have closing costs . We worked extra and saved for it. We planned each stage of our life and in the end we were successful. We learned things along the way. I thought this is how life works.Hard work and dedication will pay off in the end. That everyone already knew this and that this is actually the american dream. I read the papers and sometimes watched the news. Lately I have been paying attention to this page and the comments. Ill admit my opinions I have expressed here has been a tad harsh. But I have learned that I was wrong. Basic checkbook math … seems to not be understood. The money of hard working people is not respected and and that ill admit the times are harder now that welfare is more of a way of life. It appears that without any money in the budget that we must continue to spend money that we simply so not have. We will send the money regardless. Ive learned that welfare is no longer a helping hand and appreciated but more as entitlement. That there really is no respect for the working man nor his work ethic or the taxes he pays. People that do not work can sit around and critique people who are trying to make necessary cuts. To people who shouldnt even be on the system in the first place. I thought welfare and state help was meant for elderly, disabled citizens. People who lost work and needed help until they got back to work. Anyone can loose work. This happens. Especially in this economy. This is when people needs the help the most. But it appears that there are so many on the system that it is breaking. I see that the people who need the assistance the most may be in danger at some point because our leaders cant make the cuts that are needed. I believe they wont even make these cuts in fear that that it may lead to people actually having to go and do something.. Im very surprised at all I have learned about todays accepted thinking. and to be honest nervous. Liberalism is gone out of control.
Brilliant post. You forgot to add that when the overburdened taxpayer challenges the need to call someone with PTSD, ADD, bipolar, mood disorders, depression, etc. as DISABLED we are called cold, heartless bastards and are accused of pushing poor people out into the streets to die of exposure to the cold. Can’t tell you how many 20-something year olds I’ve met who have disability for a mood disorder. REALLY?? Try staying up all night with a sick kid and STILL having to work the next day and let’s talk about mood disorders.
Things have certainly changed since I was that age. When I was 20 I never hear of any of those things and getting any help then was NEVER heard of or never an option. I never considered that either. I just didnt eat or dint go anywhere. We made just enough to cover the rent. Drove old cars ate boxed spaghetti. If I lost every piece of furniture I owned I was out 15 bucks. We started our savings with a hundred dollar win check from beano. We watched 2 5 7 and 12. We got very creative.. and learned lessons as we grew up. There WAS no other way. But now.. all bets are off.
I am feeling the same way. I am thinking about quitting my job, pretending my husband doesn’t live here, get a free cell phone and medical insurance. It would be awesome not to work 45 hours a week. I would have all kinds of time with my children and then I could have lobster. I would have to take up smoking and drinking if I did that so I could spend all my tanf money though. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Maybe my conscience would get in the way.
That conscience thing is what separates you from the others. Your a worker. There are only a very few classes of people. Workers and non workers. You are a worker. Couldnt stop even if you wanted too. That is why there will always be money to give away.. People are counting on you .. Dont let em down!
The easy answer would be, “The Republicans hate working people. That should be obvious by now.” But that would be as silly as what you just said. I’m an ex-Republican, who left the GOP in part because the Democrats are the party of working people like myself and my family. The Republicans are the party of the wealthy elites.
Of course the Republicans are the party that think that multi-millionaires and billionaires should pay half the tax rate of working people; they are the party that gave us record deficits under Bush 43, and left us with an economic meltdown; they are the party that would have let the auto industry collapse, destroying thousands of jobs; the party that would crush the unions, leaving us with lower wages and unsafe working conditions; the party that originally opposed, and would now privatize Social Security — leaving us at the mercy of the stock market; that would let big multi-national corporations make unlimited contributions to negative campaign ads that corrupt our political system. I could go on…
The Democrats gave us Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment compensation, workmen’s comp, middle-class tax breaks, and the right to organize unions. The Republicans gave the billionaires big tax breaks, gave Wall Street gamblers a rigged system in favor of the elites — and gave the rest of us a huge deficit and a couple of unnecessary and unwinnable wars.
But if you say Democrats “hate working people,” I guess we must hate ourselves!
Shhhh, quiet!! You’re the fly in the kool-aid! You aren’t supposed to mess up their thinking with facts.
By the way, you didn’t mention the 40 hour work week and over time (the original version, not’s what’s left of them since the republican “revolution”), pensions (what’s left of THEM after being stolen by Wall Street), and collective bargaining. (barely hanging in there…)
Most people with good jobs are Democrats.
Most people within the 99% with an IQ above 80 are Democrats!
this comment is retarded…like most democrat’s thought processes…I think it’s the concept of personal responsibility that hangs them up…
Republicans can lay no claim to personal responsibility. Ethical behavior is becoming a rate commodity….. on both sides of the aisle. In this case I think the Democrats were the only one who took responsibility for The People over the corporation. If you are going to cut back human welfare then an equal amount of corporate welfare needs to be cut.
LOL…”good jobs”
and you are always complaining about the “rich”
what a joke
what??? Is that a new hiring criteria? I am doomed…………Oh wait, I am a republican and I have a very good job. whewwwwwwwwwwww!
Really? you honestly think that? I bet you would find that there are a hell of alot more “working people” that are democrats than you would find bank president’s, and insurance executives. I don’t recall any democrats allowing striker breakers and gutting unions. Hate working people……LOL
they arent doing the right thing
SO: What will happen next? Will LePage bluster and yell? Get the Adrienne Bennett “spin machine” cranked up on high? Will he threaten to veto?
I bet he’s ready to have a coronary over the fact there’s a overwhelming majority passing this budget and he can’t do anything about it.
I would like to think that the Legislative republicans have stood their ground, and that there are other means of dealing with a budget then what that they got the with the governor’s numbers in December, and by the end of January, he was saying the committee was stalling. He has said that he knew of the potential shortfall since last Februrary, and knew of the shortfall as early as March, and did …….NOTHING, until December. And then the committee had to get the “unrefined” numbers to make a decision. This whole thing….sets upon this governor’s shoulders, he caused the crisis, he threatened other departments, and now he refuses to talk about anything? It was deception, it was questionable accounting; the committee is with holding questions, and action on his budget for this very reason.
I’ll tell you what Governor, if you start a fire you can get burned.
Gov. LePage and the congress are doing a wonderful job at hammering out this legislation. Making cutbacks can be very difficult, but these are necessary. Their thoughtfulness is making this belt tightening as painless as possible.
If he had “thoughtfulness”…..then Le Page wouldn’t have threatened to close nursing homes!! Not even close.
He did so to get his own way, how “thoughtful” was that? Saw a thing on 39 of the best Nursing Homes in the country……2 of them are from Maine. How “thoughtful” is that?
Both above Bangor , There still must be some caring hearts up in that area !
Painless as possible would have been to do what he ran on … create jobs and improve the economy. Had he done that state revenues would have naturally increased and he could have granted his tax cuts without cutting health care for the most vulnerable. As it is, he put the cart before the horse and the people will pay.
His economic model was to increase the already $9,000,000 subsidy to the Maine Maritime Academy ($10,000 per student per year) of which nearly 1/2 of the student body are not even Maine youth and all leave after graduation. A generous gift indeed to Sen. Rosen in order to maintain his voting base.
MMA may get 10,000 per student, but they only give 1,000 a year to students. My son goes there it doesn’t seem to matter what someone’s finanicial status is they give the same 1,000 to all students.
I liked your comment but you must know that these people like Cool do not like the truth to get in the way of their ranting!
Actually, the responsible taxpayers will pay less and those who have been forced into dependence upon government and the collective pocket book of their neighbors will suffer.
It’s not our fault that you progressive democrtats have set up the less fortunate among us for the proverbial fall. Your approach is unsustainable and destructive to the lives of those you are supposedly trying to help. You should be ashamed of what you support and the dismal position in which your policies have put the most vulnerable among us.
That is the thing they don’t understand. They are not “helping’ these people at all! They are making them dependent, spoiled, useless, people who are destined to create generation after generation of the same.
Now what percentage do you think actually fit in the category you have created?
“Whatever” Adrienne.
I was thinking the same thing! LOL
LePage, Thoughtful!!!!!!! They accomplished this compromise without LePage who has threatened veto since day 1.
Yeah but the Senate got smart tonight and voted down this farce by a 22-13 vote.
It failed to get the 2/3 needed by 2 votes. Thankfully we have some folks in Augusta who has a spine.
All spine, no brain.
I agree with everything you just said except for the first 3 words (Gov. Lepage and)
Paulie has attempted to hinder the process in numerous ways. He cannot be included in the “doing a wonderful job” category.
Oh really. So doing exactly what he is supposed to do gives him no credit? When you sell a car, don’t you ask for way more, knowing full well you will come down because the other person is going to offer way less? And you push hard to get the most you can? He made this budget with worst case senerios, knowing full well the Dems in this state would pick it apart. He is sitting in his office knowing full well he got what he wanted. GREAT JOB GOV! Keep up the GREAT work!
Threatening to veto if it isn’t his budget, insinuating himself nto the legislative process, threatening to close schools are surely signs that he is doing his job -NOT!!!
Funny how you libs have a fit about our great gov because he is doing what he was duely elected to do…But you love a man who tries to tell churches and everyone else he knows BEST. I know by reading the lib coments here that your a little bit slow , so let me tell you who I am refering to Barak Husain Obama.. Let me end on a note that should put even you libs to thinking when he took office gas was $1.83 a gal now $3.69 a gal there is nothing that hurts people more then fuel prices as it effects everything we need to survive.. Thank God we did not allow that Keystone XL pipeline, we do not need it our comander in thief said so
What I remember of gas and oil prices prior to the ’08 elections is that they went over $4.00 a gallon that fall. Then within a month or so of the election, they started dropping. I saw this as a Republican ploy to try to win the election. As such, I remember waiting until the week before the election to fill my oil tanks because fuel oil prices were dropping and it was clear what the oil companies were trying to do to win the election for the Republicans. I don’t know where you got your gas that fall, but it couldn’t have been in Maine – not at $1.83/gallon!! Stop trying to feed me with bullsh– numbers that you made up in your head to try to make a point. You’re just like Paulie in that regard. Throw a number out there and wait for it to be disproven, like he did with the numbers he gave or failed to give the Appropriations Committee. Get a grip on reality.
With regard to the pipeline, wouldn’t it make more sense to build a refinery in a northern state than to build a pipeline all the way through the country and then have to ship the refined product all the way back. But no, that would cut out the Texas oil profiteers.
If you think Obama or Bush has anything to do with the price of oil, then you need to do a little
investigating of what makes the price of oil tick. Oil prices are based on world wide demand, free market like all the R’s like. The Keystone pipeline would not effect the price of oil world wide and more than likely the majority would be exported after refined. Right now the inventories are high in the US and the oil companies are closing refineries. The sword rattling by Iran also is
effecting the price.
Re: You really should check on your facts, he did not tell churches anything they were exempt, it is the businesses, re. hospitals etc. run by churches that the big discussion is about. Maybe you feel that women should be home, barefoot, pregnant and standing by the stove but there are people who try to give women equal rights.
When did he tell churches he knows best? If you are talking about Catholic hospitals and providing contraception to non-Catholic workers, you are way off. Also, Keystone would do nothing to lower the price of gas in the U.S. That oil would go on the worldwide open market and just as likely would end up in China than here.
The gas price numbers you quoted were pulled out of thin air, right?
Wait, you used the president’s middle name (misspelled) and it sounds foreign. Wow…I am convinced. Sorry to have questioned you.
http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2009/01/gas-prices-2.html not out of thin air at all. President Obama has absolutely no right to mandate that everyone buy health insurance and he also has no right to force employers to pay for abortions, contraceptives and the morning after pill.
You seem to have confused “he has no right” with “I don’t like it”. You are not speaking from a legal or constitutional framework at all.
Since we are not in court . Nor is an opinion a legal or binding document. I think she is passionate and speaking loosely
Fair enough. Our political discorse is dominated by the angry, passionate and uninformed.
“doing things I don’t like” turns into much worse very quickly. Particularly on the BDN. I mean, look at the original post I was responding to.
I am not angry nor unimformed. It has nothing to do with wether or not I like it. He has no constitutional basis for mandating that each and every american must purchase health care.
http://www.askheritage.org/is-president-obamas-individual-health-care-mandate-constitutional/ Unprecedented and Unconstitutional
The federal government has never required all Americans to buy any good or service. An individual mandate to enter into a contract with or buy a particular product from a private party, with tax penalties to enforce it, is unprecedented and flies in the face of our founding principles and a reasonable reading of judicial precedent. Nowhere in the Constitution is Congress given the power to mandate that an individual enter into a contract with a private party or purchase a good or service and no decision or present doctrine of the Supreme Court justifies such a claim of power.
Uh, quoting the Herritage foundation does not count. Hard right wing think tank. Somewhat the same argument made against the income tax in 1913 and Social Security in 1935. Wrong both times. Also, thanks to Mitt Romney, the individual mandate has a nice precedent. Hospitals are required to treat you if you end up in the emergency room, so the “contract” with a private entity already exists.
Q: Why is Attorney General McKenna “overturning health care reform?”
A: Attorney General McKenna joined this lawsuit to challenge two unconstitutional provisions in the federal health care law. He believes some provisions of the health care law are good for Americans and he believes courts can find pieces of the law unconstitutional without overturning the entire law.
Judge Vinson ruled that the requirement that everyone have or purchase government-approved health care in the private marketplace was unconstitutional—then struck down the entire law. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals agreed that the requirement was unconstitutional but overturned Judge Vinson’s decision to strike down the whole law. A federal judge in Virginia came to the same conclusion.
Uh…and a majority of Appeals Courts have said its fine. Copying and pasting from right wing web sites is not gonna do it, sorry.
and it doesn’t matter what anyone says to you because you are going to scream to high heaven that obama ought to have the right to tell us to do anything he wants. The founding fathers put the constitution in place to protect the american people from tyrants like obama
no I am not confused. A president has NO RIGHT. Legally or constitutionally.
It doesn’t matter what anyone says to you. You will not be swayed. An open mind would be a wonderful thing to aquire.
love everything you had to say Countryrules! I love commander in theif,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I may use that one! lol
Are “libs” working folk? You go to church to pray CR, not tell people what to do.
Ah, and I see that it’s the President’s fault for the gas prices? Really, and I don’t suppose any of those oil company’s, such as the one’s a certain father and son presidential team have interest in, would have ANYTHING to do with it. What’s the President supposed to do? fix the prices, OMG, wouldn’t the repubs just HOWL!!! about that. Oh, and I suppose that those little wars that Junior got us in didn’t have anything to do with gas prices?
I guess you can’t read between the lines by my example, so let me spell it out for you. He said those things as part of the bargining to get as much out of it as he could. He knows full well his budget will not pass as he wrote it, he fully expects to give in. He is just going to push for all he can get. You ask 1200 for your car knowing you want 1000 for it. The buyer only wants to give 900, so you threaten not to sell it and they offer 1000. You both walk away with what you wanted. End of story.
There are good people in the legislature in both major parties working on this, and I think they will find a pretty good solution to the problem. I’m a registered Democrat and ex-Republican who thinks my Republican state senator (who is senate chair of the appropriations committee) is doing an excellent job.
Painless to whom? Are there any cuts to corporate welfare in this budget?
So glad that we are on the right track. Dhhs MUST cut spending. I think if everyone sees the amount of money generated by these cuts and by cracking down on welfare fraud, then maybe we will see a Maine to be proud of!!!
Yeah, we already have a governor to be proud of. (dripping with sarcasm)!!!!
Maybe it was the Gov. who finally started the legislature on the road to reduced spending.
Like 19% Libby would have done anything to reign in spending.
Indeed…she would have doubled down and hung posters of Obama all over the state capitol in homage to the debt master and henchman of human slavery
I am not sure what your driping of but from here it smells like crap
Right there with you Jennifer … cant agree with you anymore without standing up and cheeriing
“stronger structural changes to MaineCare that would have removed an estimated 65,000 Mainers from government-funded health care” If this isn’t in their proposed budget, they might as well go back! For the “lawmakers”, it has NOTHING to do with your re-election, its what is BEST for the STATE.
“Pore” over documents, not “pour.”
Thank you for clearing that up.. It didnt make sense the other way. It got me confused
Correction–the final paragraph should read:
“Once it’s passed, the budget goes to MHPC & ALEC who then will have ten days to direct Gov. Paul LePage to sign it, veto it or allow it to become law without his signature.”
Yawn…
Oh Oh! Better watch out now, the Senate Democrats are stepping in! This can’t be good news for LePage!
Awesome. Thank you to our state Senators, who will be re-elected the next time around. People in Maine do care about their neighbors, their children, and their future as they age.
My wife and me are two of the thousands of parents who will be losing MaineCare once LD1816 becomes law. We do not have employer sponsored health insurance because we cannot afford it. We are not making progress as a state or country when the costs of our disgracefully dysfunctional health care system are passed onto working people without the resources to afford private health insurance and this is what LD1816 is doing to parents like us who earn above 133%-200% of the FPL. While many wallets will be lighter as a result of this legislation, ours will be heavier. LD1816 will cost my family an additional $600.00 a month in health insurance premiums and $5,000.00 in deductibles. We have one car, no debt and save money by keeping the thermostat low and eating frugal meals. In the end,however, our family budget cannot absorb an additional $7,200.00 a year ($9,000.00 in gross income.) in health insurance premiums let alone deductibles. After September, like so many others, my wife and me will have no choice but to go on the ER health care plan funded by, you guessed it, the insured including those who believe LD1816 is progress! When it comes to a broken health care system that neither the Republicans or Democrats have been able to fix, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
It’s not a free lunch, it’s not about giving something for nothing, it’s about caring and understanding. It’s about lifting people upward, and not relegating them to another social standard. It’s about people helping people, and they will help back. It’s about faith.
Thank you not all of the people help who get are looking for a free lunch.
Recently I accessed medical care that was not covered fully by my insurance. Even though my budget is very tight like yours, I never considered that I just wouldn’t pay my share. Now, I know that health insurance is way too expensive–we struggle to get by paying our share of employer sponsored health insurance. What distresses me about your post is that you seem to assume that, if you no longer qualify for MaineCare, you will access the ER and you will take no responsibility to pay for the services you receive there. I know that a serious emergency, such as a heart attack, or even a broken arm, can run into more money than most working people can afford–and most would probably have to rely on the hospital and doctor forgiving the bulk of the costs. But if you go to the ER with bronchitis, receive care there, and are not admitted for futher treatment, are you saying you would not make the effort to pay that bill?
The problem Maine had some of the cheapest health care rates in the country. Until the Liberals in the early 90’s changed Maine’s health insurance and health care laws to make it more expensive. It drove out Maine’s Insurance companies, jobs etc.. Now we have basically an Anthem monopoly now, with Dirigo Health’s company as the only companies selling insurance. So I blame Democrats who think the Socialist model is the way too go. Maine had high risk pools etc. and other rules which lowered the costs. Now we have basically a WELFARE boondoggle with MaineCare and this Failed Baldacci Dirigo boondoggle that is breaking Maine’s budget and its taxpayers.
You blame the democrats. Nobody knew that.
You are rapidly becoming the Democrat’s best friend. Every time I read your posts, I reaffirm my commitment to NEVER vote for a “Norquist” politician ever again. Thank you for your contributions. They will go a long way towards getting the job done in November.
good point…unfortunately many know not…. the evils of Grover Norquist!
He said he & his wife are parents. I suspect that if it came down to feeding their children and paying a medical bill they’ll feed their children. Sadly, for many of the working poor that is the choice they face. Not all MaineCare recipients are lazy, some are just poor with few or no options. Add in an illness that must be addressed or they can’t work/earn income and what exactly would you have them do? Are you saying they should allow their children to starve in order to pay that bill?
And if it comes to that dire choice of feed the kids or pay the bill, I would fully support them in feeding their kids. But that is not always the choice. Sometimes the choice is register the snowmobile this winter, or pay a medical bill. And some people have no scruples about choosing the snowmobile. I think that is wrong.
I am NOT saying that is this person’s situation. I don’t know, so I leave it to the individual to decide how to manage finances. I just felt that the assumption that one would use the ER for free, and never make any attempt to pay the bill–well, that is a dangerous mindset for people to have. Sooner or later, the government taxes too much and the economy collapses–and it isn’t the well-off who suffer so much then. It is the people who have put too many eggs in the government funded basket.
We need a strong economy that provides decent jobs. We need to reform health insurance so it is not driving up costs. Health insurance should protect people from going broke to pay for major health issues. It should not be mandated to cover every minor procedure and preventative measure. That is why doctors and hospitals charge so much–because the third payer is interfering with the direct consumer transaction for a service.
I agree with much of what you say (although not all). Unfortunately the tact that LePage is promoting doesn’t do that restructuring based on necessary and appropriate services but instead makes the same assumptions many here do (if you’re poor, you’re lazy and don’t deserve assistance) and just slashes whole classes of people without regard to circumstances. Costs most definitely do need to be decreased, no disagreement there. But if it’s your elbow that needs to be fixed do you cut off your arm to solve the problem?
Not to sound harsh, but if they couldn’t afford children or healthcare for them, maybe they should’ve waited. Or, since there are two adults – both should be working, and if needed a second job – possible even a third. Sorry, I know people go through hard times, but his post makes is sound like they don’t plan on doing anything to better their income/situation anytime soon, and sound very entitled.
….
why is she assuming so much.. Because her way of thinking which should be the norm is no longer.. Because this is what people do now.. Put the cart before the horse and then end up passing their lack of judgement onto ones that have had the foresight to plan and make sure that that can afford as they go. This is CASE after CASE after CASE.Then when cuts have to be made we are compassionless we are cold hearted and hate the poor.. Nothing could be further from the truth .. While I dont know the specifics of this particular case.. Its the shear numbers of how many cases like this there are. Does anyone plan anything now or care about the consequences of their actions?.. Is one who has done everything right completely responsible for those who do not?. I mean really?.. Is this the way of thinking now?.. That we just hand this out time and time again over and over for a a undetermined amount of time? I dont have medical insurance . I work constantly . If my child or anyone in my family needs medical care. I pay for it. Whatever it takes. I have payed and budgeted for every single thing in my household. I work 3 jobs my wife 2. it can be done.. Its called AMBITION.. Ive never heard that word in ANY of these comments.. SOUND IT OUT.. AMBITION… next APLLY IT !!
….
Ill talk down to whomever I want and if the best response you can come up with is a typo.. Well thats exactly what I expect. I can see plenty about your character sir. You can color me not impressed. Just what I have come to expect from a liberal.
….
Agreed. I do not know you and I apologize for my rude knee jerk comments. My comments were directed more at the train of thought.. more so than directed at you personally. I have been raised to have respect for my elders. When I am disrespectful to you I am being disrespectful to my grandfather as well. Im not apologizing for my views. Just the unkind comments I made towards you.
….
I agree! Just wait because there will be 14 people on here that will call you heartless! I am heartless too! I just want my money to spend on my kids!!
Life is not always a straight line up. The economy itself may play a role in their circumstances, for instance, perhaps one of them had a reasonably well paying job earning $20/hour but got laid off and the best they could find was something paying $10/hour. You’re making a mighty assumption that people’s income never decreases, sometimes significantly. Many working poor ARE holding several jobs, or are taking as much overtime as they can get. Don’t forget, the economy is struggling and there aren’t that many second jobs sitting out there waiting to be filled. He didn’t sound entitled to me, he sounded frustrated at being made the bad guy in the class war that the current administration is promoting.
….
How about instead of going to the ER you continue going to the doctor you have and PAY the bill.
there is no such thing as a free lunch.
for you or anyone else. see what happens when the government comes and “helps”. the dysfunctional health care system is controlled by government, thats why its dysfunctional.
“I’m stunned,” said Sen. Richard Rosen, R-Bucksport, the Senate chair of
the Appropriations Committee. “We were promised by [Democratic]
leadership that they would deliver the votes.”
Republicans share the blame on this one. ” Fool me once…” Why on Earth would they take the word of any Democrat? Democrats are liars and panderers, and Republicans are weak and stupid. Where does that leave the rest of us? Without any credible leadership.
You really think the dems have cornered the market do you? If life is that simple for you, you’re a fool.
Here’s the STALL, ……..it will always happen when a governor is not happy.
Don’t you find it interesting that Kevin Raye is the President of the Senate, he has a statewide caucus to unwind,….and he still delays the inevitable?
It is obvious that Lepage has no clue what he is doing. Lepage’s budget numbers are made up to fit the Heritage societies, Wall st agenda.. They know that if they let anyone see their working papers they will be exposed for the sadistic phonies that they are.
From the headline, for a minute there, I thought this was about the Federal Government. We do not need another “do-nothing” level of government. Democrats, for goodness sake, vote on it, please do not start to drag everything out!
POWER STRUGGLE BY THE FEARLESS LEADER , EMILY THE POWER CRAZED CAIN !
About time Democrats started acting like Democrats. Good for you.
Most of Maine’s problems are due to Democrats acting like Democrats.
That is typical socialist behavior. Protect teh bums and welfare cheaters, becasue they are the ones who vote us into office. Forget about the working people who actually pay the bills here in Maine.
All the registered Democrats in Maine are welfare cheats and bums? Generalize much? Anyone who actually works for a living, not pretends to work for a living, and votes Republican is akin to a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders. A recent poster said it best. If you think your boss needs a raise, vote Republican. If you think you need a raise, vote for anyone but a Republican.
the only raise i get from a democrat in office is that feeling in the rear part of my anatomy is that of a jack boot going up my taxpaying rear.
The Democrats are the only ones who ever attempt to rase the minimum wage, usually to be defeated by Republicans.
the government should not be telling any employer how much he has to pay an employee, that is the type of mandate that is stifling the economy. the government is out of control. the bigger government gets and the more it tries to control the worse it gets for the rest of us.
Well said!!
Maine Dems, the party of NO.
I getting sort of tired of the DHHS budget news. It comes down to a couple of issues.
Maine’s taxpayers are maxed out. “Read my lips, no new taxes” is a mantra that every person in Maine who actually pays taxes is spouting. So, NO NEW TAXES!
Second, I have yet to read anything that supports or rejects the Governors estimate that $220M needs to be trimmed from the budget. Either he is right, or wrong, but we don’t get answers on this question, we get political hot air.
If the Governor is correct, then we have to make the cuts, no matter how painful they are. If the Governor is sandbagging the amount, then someone, please take him to task with hard MONEY figures, not political hogwash.
We cannot continue in our past manner of spending money by taxing the working people of Maine. No, I don’t want to throw the old people out of the nursing homes, but I suspect there are a lot of people who take from DHHS who could make it on their own. They just choose to to let the system take care of them.
When I run low on money, I have to stop spending it. The government should act in the same manner. If you don’t have it, you don’t spend it.
Plain and simple. My comments here apply to the federal government just as well as our state government here in Maine.
Who are the obstructionists NOW. The Democrats have been crying for a week about how they couldn’t wait for LePage to veto this budget so they could over-turn his veto and finally put him in his place. Looks like they are the PROBLEM, not LePage!
LePage was a junk salesman in the private sector and that hasn’t changed since he became governor.
This is why “compromising” with democrats is a waste of time and money!
Wow! How can we treat folks so bad? We want DHHS to make MaineCare participants be issued generic drugs for brand-name when appropriate! How can they do that? That is terrible! When is this EVER appropriate?
Oh, did I mention that after serving in the Military for 32 years, my wife and I MUST use generic brand drugs any time there is one available? And I am sure that you understand that my Military Retired pay IS taxed by the state of Maine, so that I am paying for others to NOT have to be issued what we MUST be issued… Now this really makes me one Happy customer to learn that I HAVE to use generic brands to save money so the DHHS can issue “Name Brand” prescriptions to MaineCare participants!And did I mention that I am NOT even close to shedding a tear for anyone over this? I will say that I think DHHS should be taken to court for Fraud, Waste and Abuse over this practice! If they are REQUIRED to utilize Name Brand, they still should be held accountable for failing to be trying to change the requirement.
I am NOT in the “un-decided” area on this whole thing in case you were unable to figure that out!
Spend money we do not have. That makes sence Democratic position.
Paulie is so mad this morning that he only ate 14 doughnuts.
….
It’s not natural attrition when people
who have paid in double the tax because
they had no kids and now will be denied
some of their money back. It’s called
murder by denial of medical care.
I think I’ll boycott and not pay my medical
bills. They can take it from a career welfare
family since it’s my money anyway.
Doing the right thing is to cut the budget. Those Dem’s don’t like cutting a budget and living within our means. They love to tax the working person and give to those who don’t work. They want to be reelected.
….
Glad this didn’t pass!!! Taking MaineCare away from working parents who earn above the 133% is more than painful… it is harmful!! If a family of 3 EARNS more than $500 per week GROSS PAY …they would lose coverage. Options: use the ER to meet their needs or quit to become eligible and look for low income housing. Looks like the working poor would lose again…..thank you to all in the Senate who didn’t allow this to pass!!!
Thanks to those gutless wonders in the Republican majority who couldn’t be bothered to pass a budget in the regular session when they had all the votes they needed.
2 and 4 aren’t too onerous. 4 should be a given. the others I’m not so sure.
When Democracy Happens, republicans whine.
poor babies
yessah
When democracy happens democrats occupy, loot, burn down buildings, and threaten violence with physical confrontations.
poor thugs
yessah
I realize we need to make the states budget balance, what I don’t understand is why it all has to come from DHS, for sure changes are way over due in this program, but, surely there are other areas that if they were really looked into could make up for a percent of the budget deficet. And an alternative the governor suggested would hit our schools, that to me is unacceptable, I don’t have the answer, but, I really don’t believe that this can all be fixed in one year, it took a long time for us to get to this point, and it is not going to be one big fix, what you take away from one program today down the road the domino effect is going to happen and its not going to be pretty.
It wasn’t that long ago Republican, led by Charlie Webster, who led a revolt against an unanimous committee budget which also reflected the great lengths its members went to compromise to get the unanimous report, but once it hit the Senate floor Webster and his republican members (including the republican member on the committee blocked the passage of budget. Its a shame that they reap the seeds they sowed.