House Speaker Fecteau, House Budget Chair Issue Statements Regarding Supplemental Budget Vote

Augusta, MAINE - House Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau, D-Biddeford, and House Chair of the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, Representative Drew Gattine D-Westbrook, today issued the following statements on the supplemental budget vote in the House of Representatives:

“It’s pretty simple where things stand. Democrats continue to vote to pay hospitals and nursing homes. Democrats continue to vote to take action to prevent devastation to the forest products industry caused by spruce budworm. Democrats agreed to add four Republican proposals into this supplemental and did not ask for any new proposal in return,” said Speaker Ryan D. Fecteau. “Republicans are holding out their support because they are trying to add provisions that would take healthcare away from people and cause others to lose housing. We have asked for new ideas and have received none. Democrats stand ready to pass this supplemental budget.”

“The supplemental budget we voted on today was the result of weeks of work by the appropriations committee and the policy committees that participated in the public hearings and work session,” said Representative Drew Gattine. “This supplemental budget addresses some of the most urgent needs facing our state today. Each member made an individual decision about where they stand when it comes to providing health care for people who need it and protecting our forests and our rural economy. I am extremely disheartened that so many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle chose not to support the people of Maine.”