Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday offered nearly $900 million for additional funding, with the extra spending aimed at addressing pressing issues including affordable housing, homeless shelters and emergency medical services.
The updated total package includes $432 million in new appropriations along with $455 million in transfers, including $200 million to the Department of Transportation and $15 million to keep community college tuition free for state students.
The proposal contains no concessions to Republicans already angry at a procedural decision used by Democrats, who control the Legislative Assembly, to pass a two-year essential services budget despite their objections. The Democrats ended the legislative session after the vote, to resume a few days later in a special session.
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Mills is proposing to use additional surpluses and increased revenue projections to add to the budget signed March 31, raising it to $10.3 billion over two years.
“This proposal lives within our means, using revenues responsibly to address serious and pressing issues – like the housing crisis, homelessness and food insecurity – while making thoughtful strategic investments that will strengthen our economy” , the governor said in a statement.
The announcement is in addition to a previous supplemental budget bill and does not include any tax cuts sought by Republicans.
Maine Democratic Governor Janet Mills on Wednesday introduced an $887 million supplementary budget proposal addressing housing, homelessness and health care. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
“We do not find the governor’s package of changes appropriate for the times or for the needs of the people of Maine,” the Republican lawmakers said in a statement.
Governor’s updates include adding $50 million to a housing proposal, bringing the total to $80 million for affordable housing; $12 million in one-time funding for emergency housing for the homeless; and $31 million in one-time funding for emergency medical services grants.
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His proposal comes after a new projection of an additional $223 million available in fiscal year 2023, followed by an increase of $71 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 and flat revenue over the next two years.
The proposals build on the current services budget that maintains 55% of the cost of education and fully restored revenue sharing with municipalities, Mills said.
Previous budget surpluses allowed the governor to return $729 million to residents in the form of $850 inflation relief checks in 2022 and another $473 million this year through heating relief checks of $450.
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Many Republicans called the one-time payments a gimmick and said permanent tax cuts would be a better option.
