The supplemental budget released today by Gov. Paul LePage includes money to pay for past due hospital payments and Medicaid coverage for thousands of Mainers.
The budget, which will now go to lawmakers for review and a vote, has $151 million in spending initiatives and $26 million in savings initiatives. The budget is largely supported by an $111 million increase in state revenue projections.
LePage said he will work with lawmakers to get the two-thirds necessary so the budget can take effect immediately. The budget is designed to bring the state’s two-year spending plan into balance for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Democrats described the LePage proposal as a typical supplemental budget and said while they will have questions, they didn’t anticipate a difficult fight.
Next month, LePage will release his plan for the 2012-2013 budget.
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