The Maine Legislature let stand three of four vetoes issued by Gov. Paul LePage before formally adjourning its 2011-12 session Thursday, but passed a bill relating to teacher certification over the Republican governor’s objections.
During a swiftly moving process that barely took a half day, lawmakers sustained the governor’s veto of a $20 million in borrowing for research and development initiatives, meaning the proposal will not go to voters. Lawmakers also upheld LePage’s veto of bills to allow fraternal and veterans’ organizations to operate up to five slot machines each, and to limit the borrowing power of the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority.
But both the House and Senate mustered the two-thirds vote needed to override the veto of a bill that encourages and provides incentives for teachers to attain an advanced credential from the National Board Certification Program. It restores a $3,000 salary stipend to encourage teachers to participate in the program, and creates a scholarship fund to encourage more teachers to enter into the program.
“We applaud those legislators who understood the importance of recognizing best teaching practices and honoring Maine best teachers by voting to override this veto,” said Chris Galgay, president of the Maine Education Association, which represents 24,000 active and retired teachers.
The House Democratic leader, Rep. Emily Cain of Orono, said the bill helps provide schools with “the best trained teachers to prepare them for the competitive economy.”
LePage, while acknowledging the importance of National Board Certification, objected to the bill because he believes the teachers’ union should help shoulder the cost for the certification process. He also said the state needs a better coordinated statewide program for teachers’ professional development.
Legislative Democrats had sought to persuade majority Republicans to stick by their earlier votes and pass the research and development borrowing proposal, saying it would enhance business activity and create jobs. But opponents questioned whether the jobs to be created are permanent and said the state needs to get its fiscal house in order before it borrows more money.
Lawmakers also supported LePage in casting aside the bill that sought to allow fraternal and veterans’ organizations to operate up to five slot machines each. Opponents said it would have allowed more than 200 slot machines across the state, and called for a comprehensive, statewide strategy on gambling rather than incremental, case-by-case expansion. LePage said the issue should be decided by voters.
The other vetoed bill would limit the borrowing power of the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority. The bill would have ended the authority’s ability to issue bonds for public projects, with the exception of court projects.
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