The Kennebec Journal

March 21

Budget vote expected today

By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

 The Legislature's Appropriations Committee is meeting today and is expected to take a final vote on a $310 million supplemental budget.

 The committee is continuing negotiations on several items, including federal Medicaid money, state employee longevity pay and three additional furlough days, and debt service. Negotiations, most of which are conducted behind closed doors in partisan caucuses, could continue late into the night.

 Once the committee vote is final, the bill will proceed to the House and Senate for consideration.

 The budget gap, which started at $438 million in December, has been reduced in recent weeks because of additional federal Medicaid money and increased state revenue projections.