Legislature and Maine Gov. Paul LePage at Odds Over Spending Plan

The Maine Legislature is poised to pass an $18 million spending package, but it may lack the votes to overcome an expected veto by Gov. Paul LePage.

Lawmakers will vote Tuesday night after LePage swears in Sen.-elect Susan Deschambault, who won a special election a week ago. LePage had cancelled her swearing-in ceremony to punish Democrats who opposed his nomination for a state post. The Republican-controlled Senate responded by refusing to take any votes until Deschambault is seated.

The spending plan includes $7 million for pay raises for state law enforcement officers and $2.5 million for county jails. The plan would also transfer $44.5 million in surplus revenues to a rainy day fund.

House Republicans oppose any new spending and want to transfer $55.5 million to the rainy day fund.