From Senate President Libby Mitchell
In the coming weeks, I will be working with Governor Baldacci and the Legislature to ensure the restoration of proposed cuts to critical Maine services and schools. Among the Governor's revised budget restoration targets are:
- $37 million in health and human services, including increased support for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, disability services, mental health crisis intervention and home-based services, with alternatives reductions of $13 million and new initiatives of $5.3 million
- $20 million for K-12 education for FY 2011
- $8 million for higher education for FY 2011 ($6 million for the University of Maine System; $1.7 million for Maine Community College System; and $267,139 for Maine Maritime Academy)
- $6 million for municipal revenue sharing for FY 2010
- $3.5 million for retiree health
- Elimination of an $8.1 million payroll delay
- $1.75 million to fully fund the State's obligation for disaster assistance
- $2.6 million to pay for a job creation bond package
