Republican Gov. Paul LePage once again tore into legislative leaders Thursday over his stalled proposal that he says will protect some elderly residents from foreclosure.
The proposal adds to existing steps municipalities must take before foreclosing on a home because of unpaid property taxes.
In a gaggle with reporters, the governor threatened to call the Legislature in special session until it passes the bill. He also took aim at Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau and Democratic House Speaker Sara Gideon for not advancing it on the final day of the regular session.
“Those two people do not care about the elderly. And I can’t wait for them to go. I wish I would have some time and I would hope I can defeat them, but Mike’s gone anyway. Thank God,” LePage said.
Thibodeau, who has been term-limited from the Senate, did not immediately comment on the governor’s remarks.
Gideon told reporters that the bill has been parked in the Senate for months and that the governor has not made any effort to negotiate with lawmakers to move it forward.
“He should be having personal conversations with the Senate president instead of calling reporters to his office so he can complain,” she said. “And I think he would find that having personal conversations would actually move the needle on things.”
