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Statehouse reporter Susan Cover plumbs the depths of Maine politics to bring you the scoop on candidates, elected officials, parties and rainmakers.

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March 28, 2008
Senate adds 3 amendments

The $190 million budget is back in the House, although it’s much different than it was 24 hours ago.

Last night and into early this morning, the Senate attached three amendments to the bill before sending it back down the hall.

The amendments would:

1. Eliminate 13 positions in state government from these departments: Conservation, Economic and Community Development, Education, Environmental Protection, Governor’s Office, Legislature, Inland Fisheries, Labor and Professional and Financial Regulation.

2. Establish a Blue Ribbon Commission on Mental Health to assess the state’s mental health system.

3. There are several provisions in this amendment, sponsored by a bipartisan group of Senators.

The major provisions include fully restoring the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability, establishing a household income limitation of $75,000 for nonelderly claimants in the “circuit breaker” tax refund program, and requiring legislators to pay 5 percent of their own health care premiums.

One of the more controversial provisions would further limit the number of childless adults eligible for Medicaid.

The House is expected to take up the budget at some point this morning.

Posted by Susan M. Cover at 10:02 AM
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