AUGUSTA (AP) — Cities and towns will have to ask for voter approval if they redo their school district’s budgets to spend unexpected state funds, after the measure failed in the Maine Legislature.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 97-54 Tuesday. The bill required a two-thirds majority vote because it would take effect immediately. It failed later Tuesday in the Senate on a 20-13 vote.

With the late passage of the $6.3 billion state budget, many school districts will get more money than they originally thought. But current law says schools cannot use that extra money unless residents vote on a new school budget.

Supporters of the bill say holding another vote will be costly. But critics say voters should have a say in how the extra money is spent.

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