Maine lawmakers are in discussions about convening the Appropriations Committee to allocate additional funding for bills despite the Legislature’s recent adjournment. The estimated unallocated amount ranges from $11 million to $12 million, which could fund numerous bills that passed the House and received initial Senate support. These include a groundbreaking measure to mandate insurance coverage for non-prescription birth control, expanded resources for teaching African American studies in schools, and increased property tax relief for low-income seniors. The potential funding allocation is being actively considered, as confirmed by Mary Erin Casale, a spokesperson for House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross. Under state law, lawmakers can extend their session for one day after adjournment to address gubernatorial objections. Alternatively, they can call a special session to consider additional business. However, both options require majority support from each political party or a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Attorney General Aaron Frey has provided legal advice to the Legislature regarding its options. While lawmakers could potentially address other matters during the veto day session, a 1977 opinion from then-Attorney General Joseph Brennan suggested that additional business may not be permissible. Brennan did note that the Legislature could call a special session or extend the regular session with the necessary votes. Senator Peggy Rotundo, the Senate chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, indicated that legislative leaders are deliberating on whether to reconvene the committee for funding discussions. The Legislature’s second session is primarily intended to address emergencies, and the supplemental budget is an addition to the regular biennial budget. As a result, many of the items included in the supplemental budget reflect emergency priorities, such as expanded background checks, yellow-flag law updates, and funding for mental health services and emergency shelters. However, numerous other bills remain unfunded, including Talbot Ross’s proposals for a civil rights unit in the attorney general’s office and resources for teaching African American and Wabanaki studies. Other notable bills awaiting funding include L.D. 2203 (non-prescription birth control coverage), L.D. 2144 (property tax relief for seniors), and L.D. 780 (constitutional amendment protecting reproductive autonomy and abortion rights). The bills face uncertain fates if they fail to secure funding, as they would effectively die. The Legislature’s potential decision to allocate additional funds will have significant implications for these unfunded bills and the issues they address.
Lawmakers Consider Funding Additional Bills Before Adjournment
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