Legislature to take up continuing services budget

Appropriations Committee will begin voting Friday  

AUGUSTA – On Friday, presiding officers shared statements following Senate Republicans’ refusal to pass the supplemental budget and enact critical funding. Democratic lawmakers will take action on a responsible continuing services budget that prioritizes core government functions and includes the funding for healthcare that had been part of the supplemental budget. This will ensure essential services remain operational, preventing a costly state shutdown in 2025. This plan is designed to “keep the lights on.” This budget will have no new initiatives, no cuts and no tax increases. All line items have already received public hearings and work sessions. Once this has been done, leaders will continue policy discussions with colleagues across the aisle in a following budget proposal. This plan will allow the legislature to deliver stability and safeguard the state’s financial future. 

Senate President Mattie Daughtry: 

"While we had hoped to pass a responsible supplemental budget to address urgent needs, political brinkmanship prevented that from happening. Now, we must focus on passing an initial budget to ensure critical services remain funded and our constituents are not the ones who suffer from partisan gridlock. The fiscal uncertainty we are seeing in Washington can be avoided here in Maine. Democrats remain committed to responsible governance and getting the work done.”

House Speaker Ryan Fecteau:

“Supplemental budgets are typically straightforward, since they address urgent needs. But the tumult of the past few months has shown that after lengthy negotiations and two agreements that fell apart, we cannot count on Senate Republicans. As a result, nursing homes, hospitals, and care for kids and adults with disabilities are being pushed to the brink. We must urgently address the supplemental budget in combination with the biennial budget, in order to put Maine people first and end the political posturing. Democrats are not willing to risk a government shutdown or neglect our state’s health and well-being. It’s time to move forward. I hope our colleagues across the aisle will join us to ensure that the basic functions of state government - and the services so many Maine people depend on - are not placed in jeopardy.”

Lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposed continuing services budget in the coming weeks, with Democratic leaders urging bipartisan cooperation to ensure timely passage. 

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