SENATE REPUBLICANS STAND WITH GOVERNOR ON VETOES
Vetoes on six measures sustained by Senate Republicans votes
AUGUSTA – Earlier today in a series of partisan votes, Senate Republicans stood by Governor Paul LePage and failed to override his vetoes of six bills. Senate Republicans have now sustained all 21 of the vetoes before the Senate this session.
LD 1128, “An Act To Provide for Greater Public Input and Local Control in the Chartering of Public Schools,” would have given affected communities greater input in the charter school process. It originally passed the Senate 22-13, and the veto was sustained in a 20-15 vote.
“This is a straight-forward bill that would have increased transparency and local control, and ultimately improved the quality of education for more Maine students,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland, the sponsor of the bill. “I’m disappointed that this became a party-line vote.”
LD 434 “Resolve, Regarding Safer Workplaces for Home Care and Home Health Workers,” would have improved safety conditions for home health care workers. The bill was originally passed by a 20-15 vote, and the veto was sustained in a 20-15 vote.
“It is shocking to me that, again, some lawmakers didn’t stand up to protect our state’s home health care workers. Home health care workers are doing some of the most challenging duties and they deserve to know that they are entering a safe environment,” said Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston, the bill’s sponsor.
LD 1499, “Resolve, To Direct the Department of Economic and Community Development To Adopt Certain Eligibility Requirements Regarding Community Development Block Grants,” would have improved rural communities’ access to community development funds by restoring funding that was eliminated last year. The bill was originally passed in a 19-16 vote. The veto was sustained in a 20-15 vote.
“This is an opportunity to ensure that smaller communities can also benefit from economic development incentives,” said Assistant Majority Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash, the bill’s sponsor. “Being from northern Maine, I know we could benefit from every opportunity to get an economic boost. The veto of this bill and the lack of support by some Republicans just shows that there is ongoing neglect by this toward smaller communities in Maine.”
LD 1331 “An Act To Amend the Law Pertaining to Defective or Unreasonably Dangerous Implantable Medical Devices and Pharmaceuticals,” would have allowed consumers who have been injured by defective or unreasonably dangerous goods, specifically pharmaceuticals or implantable medical devices, to bring a civil action up to six years after the injury is discovered. The bill was originally passed in a 20-14 vote, and the veto was sustained in a 21-14 vote.
“If you have been injured through no fault of your own, there should be recourse,” said Senator Goodall, the sponsor of the measure. “Unfortunately there are a number of Maine citizens who are injured by a defective product but are not aware of the injury until many years later. When they are finally made aware of the reason for their injury, their claim is often barred because of the existing statute of limitations. This is not right.”
LD 1306, “An Act to Enhance Voter Registration for Persons with Disabilities,” would have increased voter access for people with disabilities by allowing them to register to vote at more state agencies. It was unanimously passed under the hammer in both the Senate and the House. Today, the veto was sustained in a 21-14 vote.
“I stand firm that we should be providing easier access to the voting booth for those folks who are living with disabilities,” said Senator John Patrick of Oxford, the bill’s sponsor. “I can’t understand how that is a partisan issue and why Senate Republicans wouldn’t have stood up for the people of Maine.”
LD 1023, “An Act To Provide Transparency in Fund-raising by and Lobbying of a Governor-elect,” would have required governors-elect to disclose fundraising and lobbying that occurs during the transition government. The bill originally passed the Senate in a 20-15 vote, and the veto was sustained in a 21-14 vote.
“Now more than ever, we need to be increasing transparency with campaigns and money,” said Senator John Tuttle, the bill’s sponsor. “I have yet to hear a good reason not to support this. This was a missed opportunity to provide greater sunlight in to the goings on of campaign politics.”
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