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Maine governor warns of partial government shutdown in budget fight
Source: Reuters
BUSINESS NEWS | Tue Jun 27, 2017 | 1:46pm EDT
Maine governor warns of partial government shutdown in budget fight
By Scott Malone | BOSTON
Maine Governor Paul LePage warned residents on Tuesday that parts of the state's government could shut down as soon as Friday if lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement on the next two-year budget of roughly $7 billion.
The second-term Republican said he would ensure that the state continues to collect taxes, police will still patrol and state parks will remain open through the Independence Day holiday weekend. But he said he will allow courts and other state operations to close if he is unable to reach a deal with the Democratic-controlled state House of Representatives.
"I'm making plans. I believe we are going to shut down Friday night," LePage said in a weekly appearance on Maine's WVOM radio. "The future of Maine is worth shutting it down."
LePage said he and legislative leaders are $145 million apart in their negotiations over the budget, with Democrats seeking additional funding for schools while LePage is urging cuts elsewhere in the budget to offset spending.
House Speaker Sara Gideon, a Democrat, during a Tuesday morning session called the possible shutdown "embarrassing and unconscionable."
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Maine governor warns of partial government shutdown in budget fight
By Scott Malone | BOSTON
Maine Governor Paul LePage warned residents on Tuesday that parts of the state's government could shut down as soon as Friday if lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement on the next two-year budget of roughly $7 billion.
The second-term Republican said he would ensure that the state continues to collect taxes, police will still patrol and state parks will remain open through the Independence Day holiday weekend. But he said he will allow courts and other state operations to close if he is unable to reach a deal with the Democratic-controlled state House of Representatives.
"I'm making plans. I believe we are going to shut down Friday night," LePage said in a weekly appearance on Maine's WVOM radio. "The future of Maine is worth shutting it down."
LePage said he and legislative leaders are $145 million apart in their negotiations over the budget, with Democrats seeking additional funding for schools while LePage is urging cuts elsewhere in the budget to offset spending.
House Speaker Sara Gideon, a Democrat, during a Tuesday morning session called the possible shutdown "embarrassing and unconscionable."
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-maine-shutdown-idUSKBN19I2HN
