A state budget for the next two years is now heading to Governor Janet Mills’ desk after the Democratic majority approved a partisan spending plan late Thursday night.
The $11.3 billion budget follows the failure of a bipartisan deal to pass emergency funding for Medicaid. The legislation passed the House earlier in the day before being taken up and passed by the Senate.
Democrats say the budget needed to be passed quickly, since it will take 90 days for the funding to take effect after the governor’s approval. Lawmakers are required to have a budget in place for the new fiscal year, which starts on July 1st,
Democrats also say the budget will fund all existing programs and will fill the $118main million funding gap for Medicaid from this year. Maine hospitals and healthcare providers are currently not getting all the state money they’ve been promised in reimbursements and are strapped for cash.
Republicans say the budget exceeds projected revenue and will lead to more taxes. They also claim it will not cover the growing cost of Medicaid next year, and will lead to another bailout, such as what took place this year.
The legislature will adjourn for this year’s session under a procedural protocol, but most assuredly will reconvene to finish legislative business, including consideration of the many bills lawmakers have introduced in the current session.
Extensive reporting from CBS 13 News contributed to this story.
