Maine Republican Gov. Paul LePage's administration has presented his $6.8 billion budget to legislative legislators who've rejected similar ideas before.
In his final, two-year budget, LePage is proposing big changes to Maine's tax structure and school funding formula, cuts to welfare, and a statewide teacher contract. The governor has said lawmakers lack the courage for such proposals, which include a flat income tax of 5.75 percent by 2020 and expanding the sales tax to more products, like movie tickets.
Republican legislative leaders said they're open to LePage's ideas but Democratic leaders said they want to make sure the tax burden isn't shifted to the poor and middle class.
LePage says his proposals address his worries about the minimum wage hike and an income surtax on high earners that voters approved.
