Thursday, May 23, 2013
Subscribe to theSteve Mistler covers politics and government for the Portland Press Herald. He spends a lot of time in the hallways of the State House.
Steve can be reached at 791-6345 or smistler@pressherald.com.
On Twitter: @stevemistler
The unanimous measure was sponsored by Rep. Paul Gilbert, D-Jay, and co-sponsored a broad contingent of lawmakers.
Also: Gun-show bill remains in the Senate.
The Taxation Committee gives the bill a reprieve by ordering a full cost analysis of the bipartisan measure.
But with Gov. Paul LePage critical and Republican votes against the bill, it faces an uncertain future.
'To do one without the other would leave the job half done,' Democratic leader Mark Eves says, but Republicans are reluctant to expand Medicaid.
The Maine Hospital Association supports both concepts, but Republicans are angry about tying the two together and hospitals fear a LePage veto.
The pledge follows criticism of the governor's handling of the crisis.
But the leader of the state employees union stands by the claim that plans are being made for one.
Critics focus on provisions that would either remove sales tax exemptions or increase excise taxes.
Stiff opposition is expected to the plan to cut the state's income tax rate in half and raise sales and excise taxes.
Copyright ©2013 MaineToday Media, Inc.
Jobs
Cars
Real Estate
Maine Yellow Pages
Facebook
Twitter