AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine lawmakers have returned ready for another special session day, still at stalemate over $3 million in money budgeted last year for publicly financed candidates.
Some Democrats, Republicans and independent lawmakers called on House Republicans Tuesday to support releasing the money by fixing a drafting error in the budget passed last summer.
Taxpayers pay roughly $40,000 for each special session day.
House Republicans ideologically opposed to publicly funded campaign funds have opposed Democratic Rep. Louis Luchini’s proposal to withdraw $1 million from public campaign funds and return it in January.
House GOP Rep. Jeffrey Timberlake proposes withdrawing $3 million from the fund and returning it in January.
Ethics commission Executive Director Jonathan Wayne says Maine wouldn’t have enough money for publicly financed candidates if lawmakers withdraw $3 million.
