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December 6, 2012
AUGUSTA – Today, Maine Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland and House Speaker Rep. Mark Eves, D-North Berwick released the following statement on Governor Paul LePage’s announcement of a pending curtailment order.
“We expect to carefully review the details once they emerge,” said Senator Alfond. “We will be taking a strategic and measured approach to address the shortfall once we reconvene in January.”
A curtailment order is an emergency means for the governor to slow expenditures in the face of falling revenues when the legislature is not in session. The order is not a bill and does not require legislative review or approval.
Lawmakers will need to consider the cuts made in the curtailment order, likely as part of the anticipated supplemental budget.
“The revenue shortfall underscores a larger problem in Maine’s economy,” said Speaker Eves. “It is exactly the reason why we must get to work immediately on measures that truly strengthen our economy and rebuild our middle class.”
While other states in New England have begun to emerge from the recession, Maine has lost jobs during the past two years.
Governor LePage canceled his meeting with the presiding officers earlier this week and has not yet rescheduled the meeting.
Contact:
Jodi Quintero (Eves), m. 841-6279; Ericka Dodge (Alfond), m. 232-5892