AUGUSTA, Maine — Lawmakers on the Legislature’s budget-writing committee came to a consensus late Monday night on a supplemental budget package for 2012-13 that looks quite a bit different than what the governor initially proposed.
The budget could be voted on by the full Legislature later this week.
Gov. Paul LePage proposed a $37 million supplemental budget earlier this year to address shortfalls and make changes in the 2012 and 2013 fiscal years.
The Legislature in February approved a $145 million supplemental budget for the Department of Health and Human Services through June 30 and still needs to deal with an estimated $80 million shortfall in DHHS for fiscal year 2013, which starts July 1.
The latest budget deals mostly with agencies outside of DHHS, although some elements are tied to that department. It included a number of cuts to various programs but also included new initiatives and funding priorities favored by the governor.
Most of the cuts proposed by LePage were restored by members of the Appropriations Committee, including all but $800,000 of a $2.4 million cut to the University of Maine System, the Maine Community College System and Maine Maritime Academy.
The committee rejected a proposed $1.7 million cut to Maine Public Broadcasting Network that had been proposed by the governor, who has called public funds for MPBN “corporate welfare.” Instead, MPBN will move to a fee-for-service model over the next five years.
One of the more controversial proposals contained in the governor’s budget — the creation of a new Office of Policy and Management — also was altered by lawmakers.
The office would still be created and would shift a number of staff members within the executive branch and save an estimated $900,000. However, some of the powers outlined by the governor for that office — including broad subpoena power without a judge’s approval — were stripped from the spending plan.
The Appropriations Committee did approve additional funding for the Department of Public Safety, including $1.3 million to pay for shortfalls in several accounts including the Criminal Justice Academy and gasoline expenses that were higher than projected. Another $362,000 for additional staff at the Computer Crime Lab was approved as well to help address a backlog of cases.
The committee also agreed to cover an $8 million shortfall in the state’s Children’s Developmental Services Program.
Many tax breaks sought by the governor were eliminated from this budget, although those wouldn’t have gone into effect until 2014.
“The most important items in this budget are the ones that aren’t there anymore,” said Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, the ranking House Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. “The committee did the right thing by taking out irresponsible, unfunded tax cuts, preserved critical services and prevented an ominous power grab from the executive.”
Another major piece of the supplemental budget deals with proposed changes to the state’s general assistance program.
Members of both parties had concerns with the governor’s initial proposals to rewrite the program to limit reimbursements to cities and towns to 50 percent of the costs of the program.
Large communities, such as Portland and Bangor, currently receive 90 percent reimbursement once a certain threshold is reached.
LePage also proposed a time limit of 90 days that a recipient can receive assistance for housing and sought to prohibit assistance to anyone who is receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a federal subsidy program.
Lawmakers reached a deal to cap general assistance at 270 days, or longer with an exemption, and reduced the reimbursement to service center communities from 90 percent to 85 percent.
The budget also creates a work group to study general assistance in Maine and report back recommendations later this year. The time limit and reimbursement reduction would sunset within one year and the hope is that the work group would address any long-term changes.
LePage was in New York City on Tuesday and not available for comment. He was a featured panelist at the “Tax Policies for 4% Growth” conference hosted by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Adrienne Bennett, the governor’s spokeswoman, said the administration is “very disappointed” with the amendments on general assistance.
“This is another example of kicking the can down the road,” she said. “It does not achieve structural changes needed to the welfare program.”
Since 2008, she said, funding for general assistance has grown from $6.7 million to an estimated $14.3 million for 2013.
“We have a governor who’s not looking to balance a budget just for the short term. He’s forward-thinking, he’s trying to get the state in better fiscal health.”
Follow BDN reporter Eric Russell on Twitter @BDNPolitics.
“Lawmakers reached a deal to cap GA at 270 months”
Is that a misprint? Thats over 22 years.
Sure was a misprint. Should be 270 days. Fixed now. Sorry about that.
-Eric Russell
Democrates want to spend money we do not have.. This will be hard to wean!!!!
Republicans control both the House and Senate here.
Damnit fwteagles how many times do I have to tell you to stop using facts when dealing with the radical right tea party supporters. It just isn’t fair I tell ya.
Well the Governor has got to stop nursing on the business nipple and do what he said he was going to do………create jobs, not pamper business.
Is the Governor really in NYC to be on a panel at the GWB Presidential Center or is he there to visit an orthopedic specialist for that limp he has recently developed?
I dunno 4mer?…….But I did send a note to Bennett to tell him that the limp is attributed to nerve damage in his butt, because it seems to be getting kicked alot lately. I think that he’s in NYC to get the support and respect from those who appreciate loud mouthed bullies, the Crips and the Bloods will love him.
Is the Governor actually in Maine for an entire month 4mer?
A nice mature discussion fellas.
He does seem to be well traveled doesn’t he. I’m sure all of his trips are being paid for. The question is by whom.
He would say he’s travelling with the State Treasurer’s business card I bet.
Naw, he’s there to find a doctor that can fix that nasty bite in the butt he just got from the Legislature. If he’s smart he’s gonna’ keep’em on retainer since the next election cycle is coming.
We need business to create jobs rusjan. Business has been trampled on in this State for a long time and you still want to trample some more. Every once in a while, you have to let them come up for air. Not all business is bad, no matter how much time and effort you put into making people believe otherwise. LePage is trying to help the State and its okay if you don’t agree with him, but you and a few other posters are here every day to make sure that you get your venom out about anything LePage proposes or does and spread as much fiction as possible to get people to come to your way of thinking. You disagree for the sake of disagreeing, something children do.
Wow, I’m spanked I guess. From a person who labels their own self as “entitled”. LePage is trying to help the state by running it like he did Marden’s. The state is not a business, you gotta understand that. You can’t run a state like a business, you can’t assume that it is one, that’s his first mistake.
I comment and distribute my “venom” when necessary, as George Mitchell said “Just because I disagree with you, doesn’t make me any less of a patriot, any less an American, or any less of a person than you”
I’m not the only one on these forums, in the Legislature, or even a major national magazine that disagrees with the Governor. He is being made to eat what he cooked up, like it or not. He is not creating jobs, he is not demonstrating transparency, he is not leading……he is demanding. That will get you nowhere, live with it.
I don’t hate the governor…….but I don’t think he is capable of governing effectively. Anything I say towards that notion is, in your eyes, childish. What is it that you are doing now? You are stammering and stomping your feet saying that “this governor is right….because I say so”……talk about childish. Grasp reality, it’s really cool.
”
Grasp reality, it’s really cool.” Don’t you think you are asking a lot from that particular poster. Reality doesn’t seem to be in that person’s vocabulary.
sorry…….I should know better. :O(
When it comes to this governor’s supporters try not to confuse they’re ignorance with a point of view.
What you call being trampled is really nothing more than Maine offering horrible distribution logistics. It is a matter of geography and infrastructure. Rail used to keep us connected with commercial activity centers, no more. Now we have to rely on highways mostly.
The solution to the geography problem will take very significant investment to alleviate. We need more and better highways connecting us with our east and west neighbors. WE could also benefit greatly from high speed rail in southern Maine.
There is no way to deregulate Maine to prosperity. You can deregulate to enrich a few corporations but not to change the dynamics of doing business here. It just costs too much and takes too long to get products to and from here. Whats more is that deregulation actually reduces employment. Regulation creates monitoring jobs, construction sector jobs to retrofit, and innovation to find the best available technology. Generally, those innovative technologies that reduce impact also save in resource consumption.
The entire argument that regulation is killing jobs is unfounded. Actually, the reverse is true.
Good points.I talked with an FDA Customs inspector.His salary has been frozen for more than two years and positions in his sector were not allowed to be filled.He is a good hard working man who despairs of something getting through and another massive recall or illnesses/death.The TPers will be thrilled then how well them not paying taxes and deregulating everything worked.
What has this gov. ever done that would make you think that can happen? This is the governor from ALEC.
Yea, and that pains me terribly.
MR Frankie, Republicans control the vote in BOTH branches of the Maine Legislature so no yip yapping about democrats or independents.
Somebody is going to be very upset with the “stripping” of many of the proposed items….
I’m sure Adrienne Bennett will tell us all about it.
I just hope she isn’t the one stripping… no one wants to see that.
OH….I’m sure, she probably thought of all of them. I love it!, Those items deemed most important by her and her boss……are no longer there!
Legislature does not want subpoena power because they do not want to be responsible for anything.
Try reading the article again……..it’s the Governor and his shiny new Office of Policy and Management that wanted the subpoena powers, not the legislature…….try to keep up now.
And for a governor who promised less government and transparency, he’s doing a great job of trying to seclude himself and creating more government.
The Legislature does not do the work of te OPM. What is meant is granting them those powers. This office is needed from all the stupidity LePage has uncovered since becoming Governor or do you want him to do that too? I did not think I had to make this so simple.
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There are 3 branches of government. The judicial branch handles subpoena’s quite nicely. He hasn’t “uncovered” anything, as a matter of fact, WE have uncovered alot of things about how this governor comports himself, which isn’t pretty. You don’t have to make anything simple: no need for that……….he sucks at governing, simple enough.
And he gets a D- for naming new Offices…….”Office of Policy and Management”……that’s awful!
What a temper. You are an opinion of one. The next election will convince you, if he runs.
Isn’t it about time you tell us all how Sussman owns the BDN?
Wow! I didn’t know that!……..you don’t suppose Bart could negotiate a bailout for me?
That was supposed to be funny Bart……..I see that you and your fellow republicans are suddenly losing your sense of humor. That’s ok, we will laugh for you.
Your comments are hardly humorous and as usual you put tags on people you do not know.
We already have OPEGA anyway.
Check his accomodations in New York. More like Violette’s or more like yours and mine? How many in his room?
I could care less where he stays in NYC, I just wish he would stay in the State for a couple of months in a row.
So sorry Paulie, your gestapo unit has been defanged. The legislature just doesn’t trust you. And your attempts to pay off your buddies with tax breaks in the face of our economic woes didn’t fly either. It looks like you’re in for a rude awakening as the legislature wakes up to the potential negative impact of your extremist agenda.
A good old fashioned smack down…good work by this committee.
Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 will lose at least 30 positions for the upcoming school year to reduce the 2012-13 budget, the board decided Monday and LePage gives more cash to the Maine Maritime Academy to the benefit of out of state jocks who leave immediately after graduation and never look back. Go Figure.
And once again it all connects to that nasty MMA…
Check out this video on YouTube… Wow. This guy is one step from a stroke.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQtj2a4ZKQc
Like Breitbart?
?Briebart have no idea what you are talking about.
I was looking for a favorite Mass Maritime cruise video from a few years ago and stumbled on this.
I found this outburst particulary sad. Had the person that is so upset in this video had a medical emergency it is likely that some of the first people to respond would have been dispatched through the local fire department – which is partially staffed with EMT’s and other personnel who are students at MMA. I just wish Coolfusion would give it a break and at least acknowledge that MMA is not all bad. He has some legitimate concerns but most of it is just the usual ramblings of a NIMBY.
If the $9,000,00 per year that the state gives to the MMA were instead given for local community EMT services, then every town would have a fully paid staff of 24/7 EMT providers thru out the state. The MMA is just a drain on scarce tax revenues.
Andrew Breitbart- conservative liar and last seen screaming about OWS.He dropped dead two weeks later at 43.No surprise.Anyone with that much hatred won’t live long.
Haven’t seen the video but there is always someone to complain about something.Often they are either misinformed or outright paid shills.
If someone had a job that that allowed them to live in any state they wanted to who in their right mind would choose Maine? Maybe if government in Maine wasn’t infested with the Violettes and McCormicks wasting tax money and mismanaging things we could be paying tax rates that would encourage our smart, young people to stay in Maine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zy23pvkobU
The budget writing committee is stripping??? Cue the band….
They are spineless gutless cowards common sense ideas is being thrown out the window to keep the Welfare State going at full force here in Maine. That is not what Maine people voted for in 2010 when they kicked the Democrats out of office. If they can’t do the job and accept these common sense reforms . Then we will never get the Welfare Problem solved and our economy off the ground. We should not be promoting a lifetime welfare habit for those who want handouts. Maine should be promoting success and opportunity like the rest of the country that doesn’t have the Welfare State.
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Aww cmon DK, why so gloom? Take off the Darth Vader breath mask and try to be positive. There’s nothing wrong with people helping people, and besides, I would rather our money help build a new furniture mill in Monson, Maine than build a couple of bombs or reconstruct the turnpike while our secondary roads should be horses only.
I don’t want to help people , I am struggling to pay for myself. Though unlike the Welfare crowd, I don’t go running to the DHHS office or LIHEAP Office asking everyone to pay for me. I do it honestly. That is the problem why should we punish good honest hard working folks like myself so those can continue to live the good life from not working. These folks end up with new cars, satellite dishes, swimming pools and they are supposed to be needing help. Just like last night at the grocery store. I see a woman buying Powerball and Mega Millions Lottery Tickets at Hannafords then 5 minutes later ending up paying for groceries with State EBT cards . What is being done to stop this type of abuse. Just as folks doing the same at Hollywood Casino it has been said on here, they are doing the same as well. Because folks like myself shouldn’t have to pay for these folks. We need some sort of limits on this.
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What in the history of DHHS would ever make you believe that someone would stop collecting benefits if they won a lottery?
eligibility requirements and income reporting mandates come to mind.
RIGHT!!. I am not that dumb, Democrats think everyone in Maine has taken the kool-aid and their stupid pills. Most of us refuse them, We want no part of what Ben Grant (Maine Dem. Party Chairman), Emily Cain, Cynthia Dill , John Martin and co. is selling. Gambling while on Welfare, is a blantant abuse of Welfare benefits. What kind of a message does it send to folks who use the system right like the Elderly and Truly Disabled. I think when all gets said and done you will find even more cuts coming down the pike and when there is no extra money. What is the Dems going to do then even though they aren’t in power, punt and find more gimmicks kicking the can down the road. Because time is ticking on the Welfare State in Maine and Working Mainers are fed up we have had enough of the foolishness going in Augusta . If nothing is done to get a hold of this issue soon. I think you will find we will be revolting , we will do like we have in the past on certain issues bring in the local area talk show hosts (Portland and Bangor radio) have them help us revolt. Have them talk so loud and stop the business in Augusta as we did in the past on issues like Jessica’s Law, Tax Hike Bills. Just like Harness Racing folks did too when they were going to lose alot of their purse monies so the dems could expand Welfare. I think you find you would have a huge turn out if the Talk Show hosts led the rallies and brought in the tv media. Things then would change for the better.
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“folks like myself”…….you make it sound like you are the only person in the state that pays taxes. Why do you observe what other people do, and then complain about it? You have no idea what has gone on in someone else’s life, you don’t even know if they collect benefits, but you go right ahead and stereotype them nonetheless. And I just assume that someone who is receiving a benefit, in your eyes, isn’t “good” or “honest”, and probably wish that they could be “hard working” such as yourself?
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Oh please what Stupid Liberal nonsense but what do you expect from Liberals they are out of touch with the majority of Americans and Mainers. Let’s just let the Welfare Bums continue to get an unchecked free ride. Let’s go back to the King and Baldacci administration way of things and not abide by Federal Laws on Welfare Reform and let them get maximum Welfare Benefits. While all of us working folks do things honestly and struggle. That is what Democrats want they want to bankrupt our country for the Shared Prosperity (EVERYONE GETTING HANDOUTS). No thanks don’t want anything coming from NOBAMA and any Democrat. I get along fine without government assistance. But Democrats think Career Welfare is the way too go well they can have it. Because I think if Democrats ever get back into power and go back to the same old same old you will be seeing a huge revolt from the Majority of Maine Taxpayers.
Anyone who is on Welfare shouldn’t be buying Powerball & Mega Millions lottery tickets, or going to Hollywood or Oxford Casino period. They aren’t being honest with the people’s tax dollars. As a working taxpaying Mainer I don’t like it when Lazy Mooching Welfare Leeches are buying Powerball and Mega Millions tickets or Gambling at a Casino, then going around using EBT cards for buying food. These folks who are on Taxpayer Government assistance shouldn’t be living the good life . That is why we need to end Welfare in Maine people should be working a job. I think I speak for alot of Maine working people to say we are getting screwed. We shouldn’t be supporting anyone. Their should be time limits on Welfare, No Gambling while on Welfare. That these folks should be heading to the career center and looking for a job. We need to adopt South Carolina laws if these folks can’t find a job in a certain period of time they lose any benefit they get.
Your first line, says it all. I commend you for your honesty. Even if some of your antectodal stuff is a little hard to swallow.
And, but also, to lump everyone on welfare into the same pot is not only unfair, it is wholly wrong.
Yet you lump everyone who collects welfare into the same pot of deserving of everything they collect. There is no welfare fraud in Maine.
Actually Oldmainer, I don’t lump all welfare people into anything, and feel free to find proof otherwise.
I surely know there is fraud perpetuated on Welfare. I also know that that fraud is not limited to those with EBT cards.
But for every anecdotal story of lobsters and Cadillacs, there is one of someone who has not been able to find work in their field since they lost their job; and having to use the support to keep their family fed and sheltered.
I don’t feel sorry for any of these Welfare folks they are abusing our dollars and it needs to stop , also we need to start kicking the folks who have been on Welfare for more than 5 years. It is time to bring Maine into line with the rest of the country.
Oh please anyone who is on Welfare shouldn’t be Gambling (Lottery tickets , Casinos) that is wrong. Those of us who work everyday have had enough. Anyone on Welfare shouldn’t be sitting home living the good life they should be working like the rest of us who get up everyday and get our hands dirty. We struggle paying high taxes, high gas and heating fuel costs, utility bills, grocery bills. None of us working folks hop down to DHHS AND LIHEAP office crying wanting to have folks feeling sorry. Welfare should be a hand up only to the Elderly and Truly Disabled (Mentally and Physically). It shouldn’t be used to have more kids and get more benefits. It shouldn’t be used for deadbeat dads who sit home then claim to be unable to work to jump on SSI , Food Stamps, LIHEAP , Mainecare. We need Real Reforms not phony ones like LePage and the Legislature passed. We need to promote success , honesty and opportunity. Something many Democrats here in Maine have no clue about and if they do have no interest in doing so.
Are you kidding our roads will not be dirt roads with horses only. Once this new highway is built and it becomes successful which I think we all know it will be. You will see more private sector investment in our roads, bridges, communications (phone & internet). It is being done in other states it will be done here as well.
But, ….but….but….. This very same thing was proposed way back in the 80’s by the then democratic senate president, and it was your republican governor that said “NO”…….Now, all of a sudden it’s a good idea?
And once you build the East/West highway, you’re gonna have to maintain it. But I’m sure you guys have that all worked out as well. Who do you think builds these new roads?….the private sector contractors, who get lucrative contracts to do so. It’s already privatized as much as it can be, but, they have to be monitored. Lord knows, that if you give them a chance, they will cut expenses at the public’s chagrin. Try again on that one. Phone and internet? Landline phones will probably be obsolete by the middle of the next decade, internet? How many new jobs do either of these create? It’s not the same as investing money to help build a furniture mill that employs a couple of hundred people on two shifts.
If you want to know how well privatization works,look up Chicago parking meters or the town in AL that was forced into bankruptcy by Goldman.
I don’t need to look it up GP, it’s been happening since we became a country, which, in of itself, is expected. Sort of like the $600 hammers sold to the US Navy, and they say that we don’t do enough for businesses; well there’s 3 out of the 5 that received bailouts in this state that haven’t paid the money back, and have no intention of doing so.
You may be aware,but so many are not.Keep fighting!Thanks for the stat about the businesses.
I wouldn’t get too overconfident Gay Marriage II is on the ballot and us 53% ers are ready to march back to the polls again. We also will be voting against Democrats as well.
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Follow your own advice and don’t get too overconfident yourself. Two years is a LONG, LONG time when considering social issues.
So in a few years, when we are discussing these days, will you rightly give credit to the R’s in appropriations or will you blame all this “non-common sense” bill writing on just the D’s?
Btw, some might think this middle ground is common sense.
nice comment
Sounds like Rotundo is posturing.
As opposed to LePage posturing?
There are no unfunded tax cuts. What we have are 40 years of unfunded spending increases by the Maine Dems.
You keep believing that……and someday, in your own mind, it will be true. Other than that, explain.
I hardly think this needs an explanation unless you just haven’t been watching. Spending has slipped out of control in Maine and thank god we have so many properties paying taxes by people from away. Otherwise we just could not get by. A lot of the spending mess happened on Chillie’s watch.
During the failed Baldacci regime spending kept increasing every year yet the spending increases were largely unfunded. They just didn’t pay the bills…or sold off state assets to get one time infusions of cash. And they had no sense of spending priorities. Rail trails and fountains in the capitol parking lot received the same priority as roads and bridges. Good lord, were you asleep for the 8 years of the Baldacci regime?
LePage put his budget forth, good, bad or ugly. She is the one the made the comment, I guess trying to get his dander up that isn’t necessary, is it?
The tax and spend is now both party’s vote them out all new reps.If bellying up to the dems is their way of getting reelected they are wrong.People of Maine are tired of Stealing tax money to fill a few pockets .Vote them all out.
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Time to flush the Tea Potty!! It’s smelling the place up.
Then we can go back to the Violette and McCormick days when former Dem legislators spend money like drunken sailors to feather their own nests. Man I can hardly wait.
I don’t recall McCormick being charged with anything……..but I do recall a republican legislator who wasn’t censured by the House Speaker. Oh, and I do recall a certain State Treasurer, who is now (LOL) running for a US senate seat, and can’t seem to abide by this state’s constitution, and hell, he won’t even follow the Attorney General’s advice, which is why they are now running against each other for the nomination. And I do recall a certain governor who doesn’t seem to want to follow legislative protocol, such as honesty…..Boyz, I’m sure glad things are back to normal!
and rusjan, I recall a now certain Speaker of the House that the Republicans voted in who has a less than stellar resume.
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Tim, I think Pensionerade is offering you a spelunker’s helmet to help get you out of that cave you are in. No one is bellying up to anyone, don’t you think for a minute that this legislature has had enough of LePage this year?
The dems are going to let Maine lead the way.We need to be the first state to declare bankruptcy.This is the only way we can get these state molesting democrats to wake up to the fact.People that actually pay into the system are broke.Declare bankruptcy now.
Please, keep up the name calling. It let’s us know how desperate the right-wing has become in pushing it’s failed ideological agenda.
Failed ideological agenda??? Man that Kool aid must taste good……THERES NO MONEY!!! End of story.
How do you know that., it seems to me that THEY CAN’T COUNT IT!
ya im sure theres plenty sitting around just waiting to be spent on all these bums who refuse to contribute to society. dont worry, i’ll keep working two jobs to make sure.
You mean except for the $14+million they just found?
I bet it’s just their “estimate”, and Oldmainer, what were they supposed to do with it? Did you ever think that if the money wasn’t “lost” that it would have been allocated appropriately? You crack me up sometimes with your foolishness.
Found the $14 million and immediately spent it. Both parties are like a drunken teenager with Mom’s credit card. They won’t stop spending until the foreclosure notice hits.
Isn’t it interesting how they constantly call liberals names, but accuse liberals of being the ones doing the calling. I hear much more name calling from republicans than I do any liberal or independent. Must all be bullies and they learned it from their great “leader”. That’s all he knows how to do, bully and name calling.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zy23pvkobU
That is funny. You know. I had thought that the Repbulicans had control of the House, The Senate, and the Governors office.
Yet, you still thing this bill writing is being done by Democrats.
Sad day for you, huh?
Why would you expect a troll to be able to comprehend facts?
We need to remember who did not support these budget cuts in the next election. There is no way a governor can get spending under control without support.
Agreed, now we just need a governor that deserves that very thing. You earn respect and support, you don’t demand it.
Maybe it’s just me but, almost every time I hear what the governor has to say, the term “bully” comes to mind :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zy23pvkobU
beautiful!!
thanks! glad you enjoyed!
Another conservative name-caller heard from. Why resort to name calling? Because you have nothing else.
The governor is in NYC? When is he ever in Maine?
If he stayed home, we could use that money to fill the budget gap!!
I heard that his next trip is to go to Orlando. They have an opening for an understudy for Donald Duck at Disney. I hope that limp he has recently developed is nothing serious.
I think that he may be up for the “Goofy” position opening soon.
Could someone….(scuse me ….EEEEEERP!.) please splain to me what an “unfunded tax cut” is?
An “unfunded tax cut” is the government choosing to grant a tax cut to a certain section of society, typically a business, and not making up for those tax dollars lost somewhere else. Such as Bush granting tax cuts to the wealthy, and not making up for the loss of federal dollars somewhere else, such as increasing the tariff’s on imported goods, which he refused to do.
Whereas an unfunded spending increase is the Maine Dems increasing government welfare spending and “paying” for it by simply not paying other bills and neglecting roads and bridges.
“unfunded spending”???? how can you spend without funds? Your blabbering about things that have been blabbered about since the 1930’s. And it wasn’t the dems that didn’t pay the DHHS bills this past year, and it wasn’t the dem’s that didn’t keep an eye on the computer system that was known to be questionable. And it wasn’t the dems that said no to a proposal to upgrade that same system, because there wasn’t a proposal made, even though they knew it wasn’t what was needed. In fact, I doubt if the administration would have ever found the 19,000 ineligibles if it weren’t for their shiny new billing firm. It’s not the dems that are neglecting roads and bridges, if you remember correctly, your party runs the State House.
It was the failed Baldacci regime that perfected the art of the unfunded spending. The just didn’t pay the bills…or sold valuable state assets to connected Dem insiders to get one time infusions of cash so that they could pretend that the budget was balanced. They also blew through $100,000,000 on the failed computer billing system that cost Maine 25% of it’s Federal Mainecare reimbursement from the Feds. Good lord man, were you sleeping through the Baldacci regime or just high the whole time?
Get ready for the tantrum…I can hear the 4-letter words, as I type !
I thought LePage was spelled with 6 letters?
Ohhh Lapudge is going to be pouting now, perhaps some of his ideas might have been met more favorably, had they not been so mean spirited. Perhaps some time spent on making good on bringing in some jobs to the State would help his credibility.
Maybe if the gov. and his rep. friends had fixed or have now fixed the computer problem we would not have this big short fall to cover.Adrienne says we have a foward thinking policy making gov.that is why the lawmakers took out the $900,000 for the new office to be created by him.It now looks like the lawmakers could be getting rid of the good old boys club and starting to work for the voters before next election
The statehouse republicans have taken a hard left turn. They understand that what they have been up to and what the electorate wants are two entirely different things. They have known this all the while but pursued their ideology instead, hoping the last minute shift would save their sorry butts. It won’t.
This has happened before. The GOP always manages to find itself drunk with new power and they overreach the mandate of the people.
We are going to enter a very rough patch on the way to getting rid of this corporatist administration. There will be two years that this governor will have a democratic controlled statehouse. The struggle to get anything done will be maddening to both sides as well as the rest of us.
This is the pain we must endure to begin the healing process. Elections have consequences, they say. This one will be no different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zy23pvkobU
The very fact that Republican Paul Lepage asked for
broad subpoena power without a judge’s approval should send a chill up the spine of every loyal American.
I couldn’t help thinking, how symbolic this all coincides with the anniversary of the Titanic–
You see, here is how it is: if you want civilization, you have to pay—taxes!
Me, I am glad to pay for roads, police, DEP, health care, etc.
Should it be spent carefully? Absolutely!
Can we cut it down to the bone? No, this yields only false economies, the bills just come due a bit later: bridges not maintained fall down, kids not educated become criminals, etc.
“There is no money” is a lie. There is no money in OUR accounts (state, cities, towns, school boards, your pocket and mine) because a number of others have been manipulating the system for themselves. This has been going on since at least Bush the first.
There is LOTS of money, in the pocket of the military suppliers: two major wars (both continuing) and a third–insane one–planned for Iran. In the pockets of the poisoners: the pesticide companies that now sell us seeds (Monsanto), the manufacturers that pay NO taxes despite banner profits (GE), the energy companies that pollute with little recompense, and maximum financial gain (BP, Shell, Exxon, etc).
To try to get some back from them–increase taxes on the wealthiest–would be “class warfare,” wouldn’t it?
Of course, warfare is just what has been waged against us for a good long while. Dems and Repubs are both responsible. I am a fiscal conservative and a political radical. Do the right thing AND don’t waste money. Tax and Spend, but I am not a liberal. Tax fairly. Spend wisely.
Well put. Very astute comment.
Very good.
I’m still wondering if the governor stays in Maine for an entire month?????………Oh, nice comment.
What in the name of DHHS gave you the slightest idea that it Maine government could ever spend wisely?
Here is the thing–you are already paying attention, half the battle, because you read articles like these.
Now, get on the phone, e-mail, fax, US mail your Rep and Senator and tell them your opinions. They need to hear from us if we are to have truly representative democracy.
If we are not guiding them, then we are not doing OUR job.
Reps vote in the legislation, but first Media informs us, and We inform the reps.
Thanks, oldmainer!
What are you talking about……? For the most part, those reps and senators have been doing their jobs, despite being mislead, threatened, misinformed and coerced by this administration. There is an election coming up, and the people of Maine can certainly see that if this governor cannot cooperate with a Legislature controlled by his own party, then it’s necessary to change the leadership of the Legislature in order to balance the interests of all Maine citizens.
I worked at the Legislature for many years, I never once saw the democratically controlled legislature over ride a governor’s veto. I never saw a veto over ridden. This legislature, controlled by the same party as the governor, did exactly that. What does that tell you?
As magicmilly says below–WRITE them, tell them what you think–that is OUR obligation– and it might better reflect the true desires of Mainers. Otherwise there are hoards of lobbyists in Augusta trying to get their attention every day. Want to trust THEM to influence legislation?
I send about ten e-mails a weeks to US Senators, Congress, State Rep and Senator, and sometimes my town’s Select people, but they know I’m going top run into them in the grocery store anyway…no escaping me!
I used to believe that. I once took a tour of the legislature & several told me they hardly heard from constiuents and if they got 10 calls on an issue they thought there was going to be a revolution. I would contact our legislators periodically when I felt strongly about an issue and I always felt welcomed and listened to. Didn’t mean they always did what I wanted but I felt they were open to information and ideas and were genuinely trying to do what was right for “the people”.
My experience with the current politicians is that they serve different masters…..their ears and their minds are closed and made up.
My local senator won’t even respond to me even after making several attempts to do so. Must be their ears and their minds are closed and made up syndrome you bring up, huh?
sadly I think the “syndrome” is contagious and is reaching epidemic status :(
Can-kicking begins Nov. 6, 2012.
That can would belong to LePudge.
Those who are strongly opposed to the TPers outnumber those who strongly support them by more than 2 to 1-31% to 15%.
This isn’t a budget. It is just a bunch of meaningless numbers thrown out by morally bankrupt politicians. It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad.
Finally, the legislature grew a pair!
The Dept of Public Safety has been operating under unfunded spending for years! For example ask the Colonel of the State Police how long his department’s gasoline expenses have been higher than projected. I am talking about hundred’s of thousands over funding but, they still need to buy fuel for the off-duty troopers. And before you say it, the troopers do not pay for the gasoline out-of-pocket.