AUGUSTA, Maine — The House and Senate have overridden a veto by Gov. Paul LePage of a bill designed to improve services for elderly, disabled and mentally ill residents of Piscataquis County.
Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, proposed LD 525 because the Department of Health and Human Services has no physical presence in Piscataquis County. The bill requires DHHS to compile a report for the Legislature on its efforts to serve people in rural areas of Maine, including at least one public meeting in Piscataquis County that focuses on people who do not have or do not use the Internet or other forms of communication technology to access state services.
LePage wrote in his veto letter he opposed the measure as an “unfunded mandate” on the executive branch and because he believes the study called for in the bill would duplicate work already being done by a number of state and local agencies.
“Offices within the department already hold weekly, monthly or quarterly calls or meetings with Piscataquis County residents, providers and stakeholders,” LePage wrote. “For those who find computers difficult to use, Maine’s health and human services information line, 2-1-1, is available around the clock to assist an individual in finding the services they need. … This resolve is unnecessary.”
Several lawmakers, including a few from Piscataquis County, don’t see it that way.
“Our residents have to travel an hour and a half or two hours to access services,” Rep. Norman Higgins, R-Dover-Foxcroft, said during debate of the veto on Thursday. “This bill is simply a request to the Department of Health and Human Services to hold a public hearing to determine the level of services being provided to the citizens of Piscataquis County.”
The House voted 132-13 Thursday to override the veto. That followed a 33-1 Senate vote against the veto Wednesday.
The bill goes into law 90 days after the Legislature’s adjournment.
