All signs point to lawmakers returning to Augusta for a special session next week.
House Republican leader Ken Fredette says the GOP caucus supports getting back to work, now that the appropriations committee reached an agreement. Fredette says the agreement calls for any Medicaid expansion proposal to be handled separately.
On Maine Public's Maine Calling program Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon says members are being polled, and she expects legislators to agree to return next week.
State Senate President Mike Thibodeau says he'd be surprised to see any votes from the senate opposed to returning for a special session.
“There's been a lot of work done and hopefully we can get in in a matter of two or three days, complete our work and then schedule a veto day and get back to doing other things other than the legislature in July.”
Lawmakers are facing looming deadlines to prevent pay cuts for direct care workers and fund county jails. The legislature has until late August to decide the fate of dozens of bonds, including a $100 million transportation bond.
Republican Gov. Paul LePage accused lawmakers of ignoring key issues during the regular session because it's an election year. He also took aim at House Republicans who shut down the state government last summer, saying they "are giving in."
