AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci thanked legislators for their hard work during tough financial times Monday in his final address to the House and Senate.
He also joked about the rare daylight adjournment.
Baldacci, who is termed out after eight years in office, delivered the “sine die” address to lawmakers marking the end of the two-year legislative session. Sine die is Latin for “without day,” meaning a date is not set for a future meeting.
Baldacci said lawmakers worked to pass a bipartisan budget and find a compromise on a borrowing package, along with passing bills that will help the state be more energy independent and measures to help businesses.
Baldacci delivered separate but similar three-minute addresses to the House and Senate, clearing the way for final adjournment. And while in most years, work is completed in the wee hours of the morning, this year lawmakers got out in time to head home for supper and sleep in their own beds.
Lawmakers had hoped to finish work last Wednesday and were moving toward that goal around midnight when Democrats decided to delay a vote on bonds until Monday. With little else to do, the Legislature was able to complete its work before dark.
Just before taking final action, Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, said getting done in the daytime was a first for her.
Mitchell, who’s running for governor, is a former speaker of the House.
“In all those 12 times, I’ve never adjourned in the daylight,” she said.
MaineToday Media State House Reporter Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at: scover@centralmaine.com
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