AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Republican Gov. Paul LePage has again moved to empty a minimum security prison as lawmakers debate the $5-million-a-year facility’s future.

LePage spokesman Peter Steele said Downeast Correctional Facility’s beds will no longer be needed as of March 31. The 149-bed facility houses about 60.

AFSCME Council 93 representative Jim Mackie said 51 prison staffers were placed on administrative leave and received layoff notices effective March 2. The state Friday transferred Downeast inmates to Mountain View Correctional Facility in Charleston.

Steele said it’s a management question, not a legislative matter. He said LePage doesn’t believe a prison should be a region’s economic engine.

Republican Rep. Will Tuell called LePage’s move an end run around lawmakers.

Tuell’s funding bill would only allow the prison to close if lawmakers pass a law.