Governor Applauds Appropriations Committee Budget Work

Press Release

Governor Applauds Appropriations Committee Budget Work

Governor John E. Baldacci tonight applauded the work of the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. "The budget work done by the Appropriations Committee is a significant accomplishment," Governor Baldacci said. "We have worked through a $190 million revenue downturn without raising taxes or using money from our Budget Stabilization Fund."

"I think we all recognized that the working men and women of Maine couldn't afford to see their burdens increased. At the same time, we needed to balance our priorities and make sure that we take care of our neighbors."

The Appropriations Committee's work followed the broad principles outlined by the Governor in his supplemental budget.

"With this budget, we have brought State spending in line with our revenues, we've restructured government to make it smaller and more efficient, and we've taken major steps toward improving our financial position in future years," Governor Baldacci said.

"The Appropriations Committee has acted in a way that not only solves our short-term fiscal problems, but also puts us on a path of sustainability in the future," Governor Baldacci said.

The budget approved by the Appropriations Committee partially restores funding to important programs, including the university and community college systems and Medicaid, that serve Maine people.

"Working together, we have crafted a budget that protects the State's most vulnerable, invests in higher education and mitigates the effects of reduced K-12 funding on classrooms."

Much of the budget won bipartisan support in the committee. In the end, however, Democrats and Republicans could not agree.

"This budget is better because the Republican members of the Appropriations Committee stayed at the table and worked with Democrats. Everyone compromised, and at the end of the day it made the result stronger," Governor Baldacci said.

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