Breen, Gattine release statement following unanimous emergency spending package vote

AUGUSTA – On Monday, the Legislature’s Appropriation and Financial Affairs Committee unanimously approved a $73 million supplemental budget that protects the health and well-being of Maine people as the State responds to the 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. 

The bipartisan spending package includes funding for the Maine Center for Disease Control, public health nursing, child protection and public education. It also includes increased supports for seniors, individuals with intellectual disabilities, and behavioral and mental health care, and the workers who provide those services.

The Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee chairs released statements following the supplemental budget vote. 

Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth:

“Tonight, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee approved a strong, responsible bipartisan supplemental budget that honors our commitments as a state and supports Maine families, health professionals and small businesses during this time of economic uncertainty. I’m grateful that my colleagues on the budget committee responded to this public health crisis by rising to the challenge and working diligently to come up with a  thoughtful spending package under a tight deadline. I’m hopeful that the rest of the Legislature will follow our lead and pass this critical spending package before we adjourn tomorrow.”

Rep. Drew Gattine, D-Westbrook: 

“In an unprecedented time, my colleagues and I worked collaboratively with Governor Mills’s Administration to pass a bipartisan spending package that protects the health and financial security of Maine’s working families. This agreement takes critical steps to boost Maine’s health care system and support our most vulnerable citizens. We direct resources to those on the front lines of this crisis, while taking very necessary steps to protect Mainers from the very real prospect of an economic downturn. We will continue to do our part to face this challenge.”

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