PPH: Debate set on budget to erase shortfall
January 27, 2009 -
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers are ready to debate a plan that would close a $166 million gap in the current state budget.
The Appropriations Committee approved the plan unanimously Friday after three weeks of hearings. The full Legislature will consider the plan beginning today, and leaders hope to have a final vote sometime Thursday.
Lawmakers expect the changes to the current budget will pass this week, allowing them to begin work on Gov. John Baldacci's $6.1 billion budget for the two-year period that starts July 1. There is still dissatisfaction with some of the cuts to cover the current shortfall, however, particularly reductions in local education funding.
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"The cuts to every community in Maine are devastating, including Greater Portland and Portland," said state Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland, chairman of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee.
He did note that funds expected in a stimulus package from Washington for education could be "crucial."
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