AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   Maine’s Republican governor has signed legislation to protect seniors facing foreclosures but calls it a “horrible, horrible bill.”

Gov. Paul LePage signed the bill into law Tuesday but is criticizing lawmakers for removing protections he called for.

LePage’s original proposal created a pre-foreclosure process aimed at protecting seniors facing municipal foreclosure for the non-payment of taxes. The Maine Municipal Association called that process onerous.

Lawmakers amended the bill, which now requires a town to contact three realtors to see if they can handle the property’s sale.

The legislation also requires the senior to receive any proceeds from a sale above the amount owed in taxes.

The governor says seniors can still be forced out of their homes without guarantee of receiving the equity.