DEMOCRATS ISSUE STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S SHORTFALL

Posted: January 14, 2014 | Senator Jackson

AUGUSTA—Top Democratic lawmakers released the following statements in response to Governor Paul LePage’s release of a $119 million shortfall in the state’s budget.

 

“Last week we called on Governor LePage to take personal responsibility. We asked him to help us fix the state’s budget deficit. It’s been four days. And again, today’s information tells us nothing new,” said Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson. “The Governor needs to step up and help us solve whatever problems may exist as a result of the mismanagement at DHHS that’s occurred on his watch. Actions speak louder than words so the question now for Governor LePage is: what is Governor LePage going to do to fix it.”

 
In recent months, the LePage administration lost $20 million in federal funding for Riverview Psychiatric Center by ignoring federal law, squandered $28 million on a “lame duck” contractor for MaineCare transportation services, and doled out nearly $1 million for a no-bid contract to a political consultant. It also shredded CDC documents on the scoring of funding contracts.

 

 

“It’s not a surprise to see a shortfall in the Health and Human Services budget. Over the past few months, we’ve seen the Department struggle to manage its programs well, from meeting federal guidelines at Riverview Psychiatric Center to the MaineCare rides program,” said Rep. Berry of Bowdoinham. “We didn’t cause this problem, but we are ready to work with the Governor and the Department to solve it.”

 

Since Governor LePage took office, the Department of Health and Human Services has been mired with controversy costing taxpayers more than $30 million dollars, including overpayments to 70,000 SNAP recipients to the tune of $4.8 million, a $14.3 accounting error, and a $10.6 million computer error.

 
In December, the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee requested all state departments provide operating budget information by January 3. To date no information has been provided.

 

 

Last week, Democratic leaders called on Governor LePage to offer a supplemental budget to deal with the series of mismanagement that’s occurred at the Department of Health and Human Services over the last couple of years.

 

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