AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - One gubernatorial hopeful and 220 legislative candidates who are counting on public campaign funds are in limbo in Maine.
State lawmakers argued Thursday over fixing a mistake preventing the release of the money.
Lawmakers continued trying to hash out a deal that could satisfy House Republicans who are ideologically opposed to public campaign funding. Such a fix could return some of the money to Maine’s general fund.
“The concern is the state is going to change the rules of the election for 200 legislative candidates and one gubernatorial candidate in the middle of an election year,” said Jonathan Wayne, executive director of Maine’s governmental ethics commission.
Last year, lawmakers passed a budget that transferred $3 million to Maine’s fund for publicly financed candidates by June 1, 2018.
But months ago, lawmakers discovered a mistake in the budget’s wording that now effectively prevents Maine’s ethics commission from releasing its public campaign funds after July 1.
State data show 40 of 138 Republicans running for the House this year are using public campaign funds.
Lawmakers are otherwise making progress on a looming to-do list, including a $106 million transportation bond and tax code reform. They could return in the coming days to deal with leftover work and potential line-item vetoes from Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who wants lawmakers to roll back voter-approved increases to the state’s minimum wage.
The three days of special session, so far, have cost taxpayers about $115,000, according to estimates by Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon’s office.
Also Thursday, lawmakers unanimously passed a $26 million package that ensures funding for county jails and increases reimbursement rates to prevent looming pay cuts for personal care aides serving individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism.
Republican Sen. Roger Katz proposed an amendment to require towns to approve new medical marijuana caregiver stores. He said the change makes sense because Maine’s law legalizing recreational marijuana for adults now requires towns to opt into the commercial industry.
Lawmakers also are considering legislation addressing the future of Maine’s unique system requiring high school students to demonstrate proficiency in certain subjects before than can graduate.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.