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Maine Lawmakers Face Costs Besides Medicaid, Riverview

Maine Lawmakers Face Costs Besides Medicaid, Riverview

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   Maine lawmakers facing big budget items like Medicaid expansion this year will also have to figure out the future of funding for a minimum security prison and services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.

Lawmakers last summer passed a $7.1 billion, two-year budget that funded some programs for only one fiscal year.

Republican Rep. William Tuell is sponsoring a bill this year that would provide about $5.5 million to fund the minimum-security Downeast Correctional Facility in Washington County beyond June.

Democratic Rep. Erin Herbig pushed for one year of funding for home-based and community-based care for those with intellectual disabilities or autism.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage has said he does not intend to submit a supplemental budget. His office didn’t respond to request for comment Tuesday.

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