DEMOCRATS DENOUNCE LEPAGE SHUTDOWN, VETO THREATS

AUGUSTA -- Democratic leaders on Friday denounced Governor Paul LePage's threat to halt the work of the Legislature by abusing his veto power and shutting down state government until his hospital repayment plan becomes law.

"In one week we've heard ongoing threats to shutdown state government if Republicans don’t get what they want. Today, the Governor promised to veto every bill that comes across his desk if he doesn't get what he wants. This is not governing. This is not leadership. It is the type of political gamesmanship that doesn't belong here in Maine,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond. “I suspect the people of Maine want leaders not schoolyard bullies. We have serious challenges facing our economy and we should be focused on finding solutions not making threats."

During a radio appearance early Friday morning, the Governor promised that he will veto all bills that cross his desk until the Legislature passes his borrowing scheme to make the final payment to Maine hospitals. Republicans have failed to acknowledge that the hospital debt has been continuously and increasingly paid back, thanks largely to a plan developed by Democrats. The Governor’s threat to shutdown state government follows Republican House Minority Leader Ken Fredette's prediction of a shutdown last week. "First, Republican leaders start throwing around the possibility of a state government shutdown and now the Governor is threatening to go on a veto spree. This type of brinksmanship is even worse than what we're seeing from the GOP in Washington. Maine people deserve better than this from their leaders," said House Majority Leader Seth Berry of Bowdoinham.

Democrats are focused on legislation to strengthen Maine's workforce, public schools, and the middle class. The Governor is threatening those and other important efforts.

"The Governor is telling us it's his way or the highway. His obstructionist bullying will derail important legislation on domestic violence, public safety and economic development," said Assistant Majority Leader Jeff McCabe of Skowhegan. “We call on our Republican colleagues to reject such do-nothing politics.”

The LePage administration is pushing a convoluted plan that pulls the state's wholesale liquor business into a deal that would put Maine in debt to Wall Street to make the final payment to hospitals. The plan gambles the value of the liquor contract and is being used to hold hostage other bonds that already have approval from Maine voters.

“Today the Governor told the people of Maine that the hospitals are more important than they are. I disagree,” said Assistant Majority Leader Senator Troy Jackson of Allagash. “I think the people of Maine want lawmakers focused on getting folks back to work, earning more money and improving our schools.”

Maine has paid more than $3.7 billion to hospitals over the last decade.

Jackson added, “We need to get the best deal for Maine and that requires us working together. I think everyone agrees that ten years ago we rushed this deal and could’ve done better. Now, we cannot gamble the future of Maine because the Governor is having another temper tantrum.”