House Republicans respond to stark warning on Maine’s fiscal condition

Statement from House Republicans

Today's Budget Memorandum (SEE BELOW) from the Mills' Administration provides a stark warning on Maine's fiscal condition. Republicans agree, Maine is confronting a difficult budget environment.

In particular, the DACFS Commissioner's warning regarding the enormous growth in MaineCare (or Medicaid) spending is troubling. She noted the Administration may have to revert back to the Baldacci days of issuing IOU's to Maine hospitals. It was under a Republican Governor and Republican Legislators that we finally paid off those long-term IOUs that were destroying Maine's health care fiscal environment.

Republicans stand firm in our efforts to combat reckless spending initiatives that continue to exacerbate our fiscal condition. As noted by the Governor, at the end of Session last year, Republicans stood firm to defeat an additional $117 million in new spending.

Maine already has one of the highest tax burdens in the country. As we confront today's budget shortfall, Republicans will prioritize true "needs" over "wants" and oppose any efforts to raise taxes on Mainers.

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