Governor Janet Mills on Friday signed into legislation a virtually $10 billion two-year funds that fellow Democrats have slammed that can preserve authorities companies working — and presumably keep away from a shutdown — within the new fiscal 12 months.
Mills mentioned she was unwilling to threat Republicans utilizing the specter of a shutdown as a negotiating tactic.
“I might have most popular to signal a funds supported by two events, however I can’t settle for the potential of a authorities shutdown — which might be extraordinarily damaging to the individuals of Maine,” she mentioned in an announcement.
DEMOCRATS IN MAINE’S LAW PASS A NEARLY $10 BILLION, TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET
Lawmakers adjourned late Thursday so the funds can go into impact on July 1, the beginning of the fiscal 12 months. Mills signed a proclamation Friday calling for them to return to work in a particular session beginning Wednesday.
Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has signed into legislation a two-year invoice stopping a possible shutdown by Republicans in Augusta. (AP Picture/Robert F. Bukaty, File)
She confused that the present funds, which doesn’t embody new applications, will not be the final phrase. There shall be a supplementary funds during which new applications and spending priorities shall be mentioned.
“I acknowledge that tensions are excessive, however there may be nonetheless a number of work to be accomplished, with room – I consider – for compromise. I urge Democrats and Republicans to start out over and begin over negotiating their priorities through the subsequent spherical of funds talks,” she mentioned.
MAINE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS PREPARE TO PASS $9.8 BILLION TWO-YEAR STATE BUDGET
Democrats, who maintain majorities in each legislative chambers, pushed by way of a no-nonsense funds on party-line votes on Thursday over robust GOP objections.
The timing allowed the funds to enter impact 90 days later, on July 1, by a easy majority vote. Lawmakers would have needed to go the funds by a two-thirds majority, an even bigger hurdle, if that they had waited.
It was the second time in Mills’ time period that Democrats used the maneuver to go a majority vote, droop the legislature, after which resume a particular session.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Republicans have been livid and criticized the Democrats. A number of of them mentioned they negotiated in good religion to decrease revenue taxes for lower- and middle-income Mainers.