AUGUSTA – Lawmakers voted Wednesday to override a veto by Gov. Paul LePage for the first time, upholding a bill that will require state agencies to seek federal funds for special-needs students in public schools.
The 35-0 vote in the Senate, without debate, followed Tuesday’s 124-16 vote by the House to override LePage’s veto of L.D. 1003, which will become law.
It will require the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to work together to refine the state’s MaineCare rules so Maine can qualify for more federal funding to pay for the medical needs of special-education and other disabled students.
In his veto letter, LePage said the bill would distract the DHHS from its other duties. It was the governor’s 17th veto since he took office in January 2011, and the first to be rejected. Two-thirds votes are required in the House and Senate to override a veto.
“I have strong objections to the Legislature directing the efforts of the executive branch without providing funding for that purpose, especially when my departments are already working tirelessly on these issues,” LePage wrote.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Peter Edgecomb, R-Caribou.
Its supporters say it is necessary because Maine is losing out on millions in federal funds that should go to schools to pay for medical services for students. Lawmakers say they have asked the DHHS and the Department of Education for years to work together on the issue, and now find it necessary to pass a law requiring them to do it.
Other bills vetoed by the governor include a measure to give a sales tax exemption to nonprofit performing arts groups, a bill to create an early-childhood stakeholder group and a resolve to promote oral health care.
The Associated Press reported that the Maine Legislature’s last override of any gubernatorial veto was on April 24, 2002, according to the state law library. Lawmakers then overrode Gov. Angus King’s veto of a bill allowing sales tax exemptions for equipment purchased by Maine broadcasters to produce radio and television signals.
State House Writer Susan Cover can be contacted at 620-7015 or at scover@mainetoday.com
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