The Latest: Maine governor says spending plan is ‘pragmatic’ | Miami Herald

The Latest on the Maine governor's budget address (all times local):

7:40 p.m.

Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says critics are going to call her two-year spending proposal "government spending run amok." But she insists it's a pragmatic proposal.

Mills told a joint session of the Legislature Monday evening that her spending plan addresses concerns she heard on the campaign trail. She said Mainers want better health care, better schools and better jobs. But she says they don't want higher taxes.

Her comments address political realities as she seeks to address health care access, the opioid crisis, education funding and economic development.

Some Republican leaders say the budget proposal is too big, noting former Gov. Paul LePage originally proposed a $6.8 billion budget in 2017.

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7:25 p.m.

Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says her budget proposal would pump more than $100 million into schools. And she says it ensures no teacher will make less than $40,000 per year.

Mills told a joint session of the Legislature Monday evening that it's "time to treat our teachers with the respect and dignity that they deserve."

Her budget includes $18.5 million for child development services to help the youngest children, along with $126 million more for schools from kindergarten through high school. She said that new funding brings the state's share of funding for essential programs and services to 51 percent.

Her proposals have gained some support from top Democratic lawmakers. But some Republican leaders say the budget proposal is too big.

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7:10 p.m.

Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills says her Medicaid expansion proposal is going to spur economic growth in addition to providing health care for thousands more Mainers.

Mills said Monday evening that her plan to expand Medicaid will provide more money to hospitals, which will be able to create more jobs. She called it the "bargain of the century."

Mills also is addressing the opioid crisis.

Mills insists her budget is "fiscally responsible and pragmatic" enough to protect Maine's rainy day fund and weather an economic downturn. She has said she's committed to no tax increases.

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11:20 a.m.

Maine's Democratic governor is ready to rally support for her two-year, $8 billion budget proposal, which includes funding for Medicaid expansion.

Gov. Janet Mills, buoyed by Democratic control of the House and Senate, wants to move forward on campaign promises to address health care access, the opioid crisis, education funding and economic development.

Mills said her budget is "fiscally responsible and pragmatic" enough to protect Maine's rainy day fund and weather an economic downturn. She said she's committed to no tax increases.

She'll be addressing a joint session of the Legislature on Monday night.

Her proposals gained some support from top Democratic lawmakers. But Republican leaders say the budget is too big, noting former Gov. Paul LePage originally proposed a $6.8 billion budget in 2017.