SENATE REPUBLICANS SUSTAIN VETO OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM BILL

Three Senate Republicans flip votes after initially supporting the bill

AUGUSTA—In a 20-15 vote, Senate Republicans voted to sustain Governor LePage’s veto of a bill to strengthen Maine’s campaign finance laws. Overriding a veto requires two-thirds, or 24 Senate votes.

“It seems to me that increasing transparency with money and elections is a good thing,” said Senator John Patrick of Rumford. “It’s disappointing when the legislature works hard to get things done and the governor continues to get in the way and undermine our work.”

The bill would have clarified that expenditures made by individuals affiliated with a candidate’s campaign are considered contributions to the candidate.

The measure was initially approved in a 24-11 vote, but Republican Senators Pat Flood, Brian Langley, and Roger Sherman flipped their votes and opposed the bill on enactment. All three voted to sustain Governor LePage’s veto.

With a total of 133 vetoes during his tenure, Governor LePage has exceeded the number of vetoes by any other Governor, including the previous record holder, one-term Governor Jim Longley with 118 vetoes.

The bill, LD 1631, “An Act To Clarify What Constitutes a Contribution to a Candidate,” is now dead.

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