AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine Senate has given final approval to a bill that would cut the pay of lawmakers who don’t show up at work.
Republican Sen. Linda Baker’s bill was enacted with a 28-6 vote on Wednesday.
Under the bill, a lawmaker with more than five unexcused absences in the first regular session would see their salary reduced each legislative day he and she is absent. The cuts would kick in after three unexcused absences in the second regular session.
The bipartisan Legislative Council would determine how to keep attendance and how much salaries would be reduced for each absence.
Baker said in a statement that lawmakers should be held accountable when they don’t fulfill their obligations to their districts.
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