AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine workforce boards are agreeing to spend a larger share of federal funds on job training following criticism from Republican Gov. Paul LePage.

The Portland Press Herald reports the state workforce board agreed Friday to set a goal of 45 percent of federal funds devoted to job training next year. That jumps to 60 percent in 2019.

LePage had wanted the agencies to spend at least 60 percent on job training starting this year, up from roughly 30 percent currently.

Maine’s three regional workforce boards oversee programs that provide job training, counseling and skills development to workers.

The governor’s efforts to consolidate the boards have failed under Republican President Donald Trump’s and former Democratic President Barack Obama’s administrations.

Coastal Counties Workforce claims LePage’s administration is illegally withholding federal workforce funds.

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