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Maine Democrats pass two-year state budget bill that increases spending

Maine Democrats pass two-year state budget bill that increases spending

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Maine lawmakers finalized a state budget Wednesday, which marked the final day of the legislative session.

A proposal to add $320 million to the budget to help fund Medicaid, general assistance and childcare also introduces new taxes.

The additional spending brings the total two-year budget to $11.6 billion.

Democrat Rep. Sophie Warren is among six House Democrats to vote against the additional spending, and said she would have preferred to see higher taxes on wealthy Mainers to fund vital programs.

Republican leaders, including House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, said spending proposed by Democrats is out of control, and new taxes would burden low-income people.

The Democratic-controlled House initially rejected the bill, before it was passed back to the Senate which approved it along party lines.

House members then passed the bill later in the day after some no votes were flipped.

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