AUGUSTA (WGME) — A political standoff at the the State House over a supplemental budget continued into the evening Tuesday.
The bill is aimed at closing a gap in MaineCare funding and addressing a threat to the state’s forests.
Democrats and Republicans remain at an impasse, with both sides accusing the other of playing political games.
Democrats in both chambers of the legislature voted to advance the supplemental budget.
However, the party wants the funding to go into effect immediately, which requires a two-thirds majority vote. That cannot happen without Republican support.
Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) criticized the Republican stance.
“They can’t keep asking for more. You can’t keep moving the goalpost over and over again,” Daughtry said. “That’s not a compromise. That’s not a negotiation; that is a temper tantrum.”
The supplemental budget was voted out of committee unanimously, with bipartisan support. Democrats were frustrated Tuesday, accusing Republicans of backing out of the negotiated deal.
Republican party leaders say their members were bullied into supporting the supplemental budget in committee, and say Democrats refused to allow a reconsideration vote.
“Democrats are pushing a narrative that Republicans are the boogeyman obstructing government,” House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) said. “All we are asking for is very simple: some fiscal responsibility.”
The bill is designed to fill a $118 million hole in MaineCare funding and allocate $2 million for spruce budworm remediation.
Without passing the bill as an emergency measure, the funding would take 90 days to go into effect.
Daughtry warned of dire consequences if the funding for Maine’s forests isn’t approved quickly.
“We could literally see portions of our forest in Aroostook County go up in flames,” Daughtry said.
Plus, Democrats argue that this delay would have a significant impact on services, particularly since MaineCare is set to begin capping payments in March.
“It will impact our hospitals and nursing homes, which may have to close if MaineCare payments are delayed,” Rep. Drew Gattine (D-Westbrook) said.
Republicans say they will not support a temporary measure unless there are cuts to general assistance or MaineCare spending.
“All we are asking for is some modest form of cuts, so we don’t end up in the same pickle where we have to bail out state government again in another few months,” Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) said.
Tuesday, Democrats voted to reject several amendments proposed by Republicans that would have reduced spending. They argued the amendments needed further policy debate.
Lawmakers will be out of session next week, but both parties are hoping to return to a bipartisan budget that can gain the two-thirds support necessary for passage as an emergency measure.
