Democrats were relishing the roll call vote in the House last week when 17 Republicans voted against a bill that would increase health insurance benefits for retired teachers. It passed 123 to 17, with 11 members absent.

“You were handed a gift for your next election,” said Majority Leader Rep. Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, at a Democratic caucus meeting after the vote.

What Cummings was predicting was the wrath of the teachers union in the state – the Maine Education Association – representing 25,000 people.

The bill would increase the state’s contribution for health insurance for retired teachers from 40 to 45 percent. The problem is there is no money for it, and in all likelihood it will die at the end of session.

Republican representatives voting against the bill included George Bishop of Boothbay, Stephen Bowen of Rockport, Richard Cebra of Naples, Harold Clough of Scarborough, Robert Crosthwaite of Ellsworth, Darlene Curley of Scarborough, Jonathan McKane of Newcastle and John Robinson of Raymond.

Curley said she knew her vote would attract the MEA, but it was the fiscally responsible thing to do. Curley and Bowen sit on the Appropriations Committee, which ultimately must kill the bills that are not funded.

“This is the right bill at the wrong time,” Curley said. “Our state is broke.”