Lawmakers have approved a supplemental budget to keep state spending in balance through the rest of the budget year.
More than half of the $64 million package, about $35 million, will go to state’s rainy day fund. Westbrook Democratic Rep. Drew Gattine, co-chair of the budget writing Appropriations Committee, says $3 million in state funds dedicated for drug addiction treatment is a first step.
“I desperately hope we will do a lot more this session as we work through the many bills related to the opioid crisis, but the funding in this bill is crucial start to addressing it. This bill will save lives,” he says.
The measure provides funds to continue the college tuition freeze at the University of Maine System and money to bail out the Maine Military Authority for losses on a bus rebuilding contract.
Gov. Paul LePage now has 10 days to sign, veto or allow the bill to go into law without his signature.
