Legislative sessions increased to four days a week and starting March 24 will go to five days as the 2014 session grinds toward an April 16th adjournment deadline.
One or more proposals to balance the fiscal 2014 and 2015 State Budget (no LD #s yet) are among the key issues yet to be dealt with.
Governor Paul LePage has declined to propose a supplemental budget, citing his belief the Legislature created its own problem by rejecting last the Governor’s 2-year State Budget and adopting their own version despite a veto. Members of the Appropriations Committee have been considering scores of ideas for closing the roughly $49 million FY2014 and $50 million FY2015 funding gaps.
Some speculation in Augusta suggests legislators may solve the 2014 gap for the fiscal year ending June 30th and put off until next year solving the 2015 gap. However, Governor LePage has indicated he may hold their feet to the fire and call a special session if the 2015 gap is not also addressed this year.
Appropriations Committee material relating to fixing the budget may be found at this website:
www.maine.gov/legis/ofpr/appropriations_committee/materials/index.htm
