Democrats on the Legislature’s budget writing committee on Monday rolled back changes that previously drew the ire of Gov. Janet Mills, dairy farmers and the state’s transportation department.
Through a series of votes, the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee restored funding to a pension program for retirees, added funds back to a dairy stabilization account and returned money that Democrats previously took away from state transportation accounts.
The actions came in response to an outcry that followed early morning votes on April 6 that led Republicans to accuse Democrats of conducting important business “under the cover of darkness.”
Then on Saturday, Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) announced that Democratic leaders had reached agreements on a number of budget items.
Those include restoring the annual income tax pension deduction to $35,000; supporting dairy farmers up to at least 25% of newly identified costs of production, and increased wages for education technicians and support staff.
In addition, leadership supports a new compensation system for executive branch workers, additional funding for York Hospital and the restoration of funds for roads and bridges.
In a statement, Jackson said while the supplemental budget invests in housing, education and other services, “it’s clear that lawmakers must also keep our promises on tax breaks for retirees, dairy farmers and transportation.”
Last week, dairy farmers came to the State House to highlight the rising costs they face and the importance of keeping all remaining 146 farms in business.
And a Mills spokesman criticized fellow Democrats for what the administration described as “the raiding of highway fund money and the reallocation of much of the $107 million in savings needed for the next biennium.”
On Monday, GOP members of the budget committee repeatedly asked Democrats why they were reversing votes they took just nine days ago.
“I don’t understand why the other day at 3 o’clock in the morning it was a good idea and now it isn’t,” said Rep. Jack Ducharme (R-Madison).
Rep. Melanie Sachs (D-Freeport), the architect of many of the changes that were reversed, said that discussions are ongoing with “lots of folks.”
“We’re putting forward, in the majority report, a balanced budget that reflects and respects the needs of the people of Maine,” she said.
The committee voted 8-5 along party lines to advance the Democratic budget, which now heads to the House and Senate for consideration.
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