SENATE REPUBLICANS SUSTAIN VETO OF MAINE FOODS BILL

Bill would have supported Maine farmers, local economy

AUGUSTA – Earlier today, in a 20 to 13 vote, Senate Republicans sustained Governor LePage’s veto of a bill aimed to strengthen Maine’s food economy and create jobs.

“It’s disappointing when a minority of lawmakers get in the way of strengthening our economy, helping local farmers, and creating jobs. By putting party politics ahead of good policy, they have failed to lead and do what’s right by the folks in our state,” said Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash. “This would have provided a good opportunity to feed Mainers food that is grown in our local communities and farmed by our local farmers.”

The bill, sponsored by Democratic Representative Craig Hickman, would have directed state-funded institutions to purchase a percentage of food from Maine producers as long as the food is available and competitively priced.

“This is a common sense measure that could have helped our local farms which are vital to Maine’s economy. It’s disappointing that Republicans in the Senate have chosen the non-sense from Governor LePage than cultivating Maine’s farming heritage,” said Senator Chris Johnson of Somerville.

The bill was recommended by the State and Local Government committee in a 12-1 vote, approved by two-thirds of the House, and unanimously approved “under the hammer” in the Senate.

The House voted to override Governor LePage’s veto of the bill earlier this month in a 94-46 vote.

The bill will face no further action.

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