REPUBLICANS FLIP FLOP, FAIL TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR’S VETO

Senate Republicans reverse unanimous support and play politics with good government measure

AUGUSTA—In a vote of 23 -12, Senate Republicans reversed their position and failed to join Senate and House Democrats and Independents to overturn the governor’s veto of a simple housekeeping bill that would have made it easier for the state to pay its bills to local government.

“This is a common-sense housekeeping bill and for good reason, it received unanimous support in the Senate last time around,” said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall, D-Richmond. “It would lower costs and provide flexibility for businesses. We should be streamlining efforts to help reduce the cost of business. Instead, the governor’s action makes it more challenging to do business in Maine.”

The bill received unanimous support in the State and Local Government committee and unanimous support in the Maine Senate.

To override a veto, the Senate needed a two-thirds majority, or 24 votes.  Twelve Senate Republicans reversed their original vote and failed to provide the two-thirds needed to override.

“I am disappointed my colleagues did not respect the committee’s work, or our county governments,” said Senator Colleen Lachowicz, D-Waterville, the chair of the State and Local Government Committee. “The Senate passed this bill earlier and it’s unfortunate we couldn’t stick together to support it again.”

The bill would require state and federal agencies and companies to abide by payment agreements they have with registers of deeds. The measure would apply when these entities have an automatic clearinghouse deposit agreement with a register of deeds. Fees payable by the state must be made within 10 days of receipt of the bill or in accordance with the payment agreement.

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