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Maine governor wants to boost rainy day fund

Maine governor wants to boost rainy day fund

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine is expected to see tens of millions in extra state revenues and the governor wants to put $20 million of such money into the state’s rainy day fund.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Tuesday she also wants to direct $15 million for Riverview Psychiatric Center’s debt to the federal government, $5.5 million to opioid programs and $20 million to school repairs.

Mills originally proposed an $8 billion, two-year budget.

That’s an 11 percent increase over the two-year $7.2 billion budget ending June.

Revenue forecasters recently estimated revenues will exceed previous estimates by $66.7 million through June. Maine could see an additional $54 million through 2023.

Republicans criticized the budget as too high of a starting point. Some liberal groups urge lawmakers to repeal tax cuts benefiting the wealthy.

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