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Budget Deadlocked Maine Lawmakers Vote to Extend Legislative Session

Maine lawmakers have voted to extend the legislative session for five more days to give themselves more time to hash out a budget deal.
 
The Senate on Thursday voted 33-0 to approve the extension.
 
It was a 131-8 vote in the House, where a few lawmakers chided their colleagues for making the state face what would be its first shutdown since 1991.
 
Republicans and Democrats in Maine have scrapped over the budget for weeks, with much of the discord involving funding for education.
 
Republican Rep. Mark Hanington said he supports the extension but said it's "very irresponsible to get to the place where we are today.''
 
       The days don't need to be used consecutively.