LePage budget fix would cut welfare benefits, state jobs

[Maine-ah]

Source: BDN

AUGUSTA, Maine — The LePage administration’s latest budget proposals to eliminate MaineCare coverage for 28,000 people, cut welfare benefits for some families and slash hundreds of state government jobs is expected to draw sizable crowds to the State House on Wednesday.

Unveiled last week, the package of budget alterations intended to plug a new, $164 million hole has elicited both cheers and jeers, sometimes from the same groups.

The state employees union has applauded Gov. Paul LePage for dropping an earlier proposal that would have required public workers who retire early to pay 100 percent of their health insurance costs until age 65. But the “change package” would eliminate more than 250 state positions, most of which are now vacant, and keeps proposed hikes in the amount employees and retirees pay into their pension system.

Likewise, providers of substance abuse treatment were pleased the LePage administration has re-allocated $2.5 million that would allow many centers — but not all — to remain open.

Read more: http://new.bangordailynews.com/2011/05/10/politics/lepage-budget-fix-would-cut-welfare-benefits-state-jobs/

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28,000 to be cut from Maine's low income health care. WTF. Please hit the poll on the page.

[SpiralHawk]

1. "More more more Tax Cuts for Rich Republicons." - Rich Republicons (R)

[Vinca]

2. Someone up there better tell the governor any savings will be offset

by the cost of running snowplows on overtime pushing the dead bodies out of the streets.

[atreides1]

5. Like he'd really be concerned

It's part of his jobs plan...hire the living to clear the streets of those bodies.

[forty6]

3. I swear that Governor is truly insane. Too bad the small percentage

of voters who put him in office didn't realize how truly insane he is.

By the way, where are the labor murals he had removed from the Labor Department now?

[atreides1]

4. I think they knew

They just chose to ignore it!

[forty6]

7. I was born in Maine, so I know a little about the state

I have been visiting the state more than once a year since I was 6, and spent lots of summers there.

Maine people are a proud, independent, resourceful thoughtful lot.

They work hard when they can, they resent government screwing with their livelihood, regulations, etc.

I understand that, in fishing, lumber, factories, commerce, tourism. But they are also tolerant, forgiving, reasonable people. They tolerate mistakes, but they never forget.

But this Governor is so flaky and cookoo, I would have thought this guy would never have made it out of high school without being labelled a crazy freak. How did he ever get to be nominated for Gov?

I just don't get it.

[atreides1]

6. Everyone has a price

"The state employees union has applauded Gov. Paul LePage..."

Looks like he bought off the state employees union! I bet they'll be endorsing Le Page come time for re-election.