Post by Logan on Mar 30, 2016 10:41:10 GMT -6
Democratic lawmakers want to spend $24 million of surplus on programs
AUGUSTA — Democrats on the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday proposed using $24 million of an anticipated surplus to boost funding for “priority” programs while directing $31 million into the state’s Rainy Day fund.
All told, Democrats are proposing to spend roughly $44 million – including more than $20 million from other sources – to fund about one-half of the 50-plus funding requests submitted by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle that are still in play.
But while Democratic members on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee described their proposal as the starting point for negotiations, Republicans quickly voiced concerns about the amount of additional spending. The plan is also unlikely to pass muster with Gov. Paul LePage, who has called for directing more of the estimated $72.7 million surplus to the Rainy Day fund.
The Democratic proposal includes:
• $7 million to increase the salaries of state police, game wardens, marine patrol and other state-employed law enforcement officers.
• $4.9 million in additional funding for county jails.
• $1.1 million for programs to help police departments place drug users in treatment programs instead of jail.
• $750,000 to improve broadband Internet services in rural areas.
• $900,000 for Maine’s public campaign financing system.
Read more: www.pressherald.com/2016/03/29/legislative-democrats-want-to-spend-24-million-of-surplus-on-programs/
AUGUSTA — Democrats on the Legislature’s budget-writing committee on Tuesday proposed using $24 million of an anticipated surplus to boost funding for “priority” programs while directing $31 million into the state’s Rainy Day fund.
All told, Democrats are proposing to spend roughly $44 million – including more than $20 million from other sources – to fund about one-half of the 50-plus funding requests submitted by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle that are still in play.
But while Democratic members on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee described their proposal as the starting point for negotiations, Republicans quickly voiced concerns about the amount of additional spending. The plan is also unlikely to pass muster with Gov. Paul LePage, who has called for directing more of the estimated $72.7 million surplus to the Rainy Day fund.
The Democratic proposal includes:
• $7 million to increase the salaries of state police, game wardens, marine patrol and other state-employed law enforcement officers.
• $4.9 million in additional funding for county jails.
• $1.1 million for programs to help police departments place drug users in treatment programs instead of jail.
• $750,000 to improve broadband Internet services in rural areas.
• $900,000 for Maine’s public campaign financing system.
Read more: www.pressherald.com/2016/03/29/legislative-democrats-want-to-spend-24-million-of-surplus-on-programs/