Maine budget vote could be this week

Democrats: Maine $35 million supplemental budget vote could come this week

Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Democratic leaders of the Maine Legislature say negotiations are on track to expect votes on a supplemental budget this week to patch up a $35 million revenue hole.

The Appropriations Committee has been reviewing Gov. Paul LePage's spending proposal for the last few weeks, and majority Democrats say it appears the package can go to the House and Senate for votes this week. It covers a period through this June 30.

The budget also seeks to make up for nearly $90 million in cost overruns in the state's Medicaid program, or MaineCare. Those costs are due mostly to increased utilization by people already enrolled.

The hard work still lies ahead, as the Appropriations Committee takes up the governor's $6.3 billion budget for the two years starting July 1.