(The Center Square) — Maine Republicans are blasting last-minute decisions to a supplemental budget made by a Democratic-led appropriations committee “under the cover of darkness” and calling for the ouster of the chairwoman.
Early Saturday morning, the Legislature’s Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs approved several changes to the spending plan that were introduced only minutes before the panel approved them in a party-line vote after rejecting Republican objections.
The changes included combining the state’s general and highway fund budgets, reducing Maine’s state pension deductions, earmarking $14 million for the state’s emergency housing relief fund, and cutting a proposed increase to the dairy stabilization fund from 25% to only 10%, which drew prompt criticism from farmers. Many of the additions were approved after 1 a.m. while many Mainers slept.
In a letter House Speaker Rachel Talbot and GOP Minority Leader Billy “Bob” Faulkingham ripped the process and called for the removal of the appropriations committee chairwoman, Democratic Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, saying she has caused “irreparable damage in her treatment of my members of this committee.”
Faulkingham accused Sachs of creating a “toxic and hostile” work environment, saying the committee “routinely” convenes hours after its scheduled meetings.
“However, the actions of this past Friday into the early hours of Saturday morning were the final nail in the coffin,” Faulkingham said. “That is when several amendments making massive structural changes to our laws were introduced without warning. This demonstrates a deficiency in respect and professionalism.”
In a response to Faulkingham’s complaint, Talbot said the appropriations committee has an “enormous workload” and that it is “not uncommon practice to work long and exhaustive hours” on the budget and other spending bills.
“However, your dislike of this process should not be conflated with the leadership of Representative Sachs,” Talbot wrote in a letter. “Consistent with how we conduct our business in the House Chamber, please refrain from impugning the character of any member of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee or the House of Representatives.”
State Rep. Jack Ducharme, R-Madison, said it was “unconscionable” for Democrats to push through a significant change “in the dark of night” and argued that it adds to public criticism of elected officials.
“This is why people don’t trust state government,” Ducharme said in remarks early Saturday. “Look outside. It’s dark. This has no business being around this horseshoe tonight. None whatsoever.”
The last-minute changes drew a sharp rebuke from Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, who objected to the panel’s decision to roll back tax relief for pensioners, slash state aid to dairy farms and “raiding” the state’s highway fund.
A Mills spokesman issued a statement urging fellow Democrats to “reconsider these ill-advised changes, to avoid creating new programs that will require ongoing funding, and to advance a fiscally responsible budget that is sustainable in the long term.”
Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note said the proposed changes could cost the state highway fund nearly $60 million next year and called on lawmakers to reject the amendments.
“Such a drastic change will impact everything we do, including highway and bridge projects, transit funding, and initiatives aimed at promoting resiliency and clean energy,” he said in a statement. “Importantly, this will hobble our ability to apply for federal grants, which means the impact is more than the state funding cuts.”
House and Senate lawmakers are expected to debate the budget over the next week. The Legislature is set to wrap up its work on April 17, but legislative leaders could vote to extend the session.
