Hours after Maine government shutdown, lawmakers only spin their wheels on budget

AUGUSTA — State budget negotiators worked into the night Saturday trying to end a government shutdown that sidelined thousands of state employees and inflamed political tensions between lawmakers and Maine’s governor.

Nearly 24 hours after House Republicans blocked a $7.1 billion budget compromise, caucus leaders offered the latest in a series of changes aimed at winning the signature of Republican Gov. Paul LePage and reopening government offices before Monday.

But nearly all of the proposals were repeats of budget items or policy changes previously considered and rejected by the Legislature. And several members of the budget conference committee reacted coolly to the latest list from a House Republican caucus that blocked passage of the compromise effort late Friday and has essentially served as LePage’s proxy for months during budget negotiations.

“Why are we having this conversation on July 1? This is obscene that we are in a shutdown because one caucus in this building just keeps piling on demands with complete disregard to the well-established process,” Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, said during a feisty exchange with House Minority Leader Rep. Kenneth Fredette, R-Newport. “I see no reason why I should entertain any of these when another list could show up at midnight tonight. And I don’t know who I am negotiating with. Is it you, Mr. Fredette, or is it the chief executive?”

Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2017/07/01/maine-lawmakers-reconvene-after-shutdown-of-government/