Governor vetoes 43 more bills; DCF and opioid aid bills nixed

The end of the road has been reached for two bills of concern to Washington County residents, one to fund the Downeast Correctional Facility for one more year and one to create a federally‑funded opioid response pilot project that would have connected those in need of substance use disorder treatment with counseling, referral services, recovery coaches and other related assistance.
Governor LePage vetoed 43 of those bills picked up as unfinished business when the legislature resumed legislative duties during a special session begun in mid‑June after closing its regular session in early May. The bills included funding the Medicaid expansion law approved by voters in a November 2017 referendum. Closing out the regular session with unfinished business and then resuming business with a special session caused dismay among some, with Rep. Will Tuell of East Machias and Senator Joyce Maker of Calais noting the additional cost to taxpayers of about $40,000 per day associated with special session that would not have been the case had the legislature stayed within regular session.

Downeast prison bill veto sustained
The bill sponsored by Tuell to fund the prison for one more year lost the veto overturn by five votes in the House, which voted 91‑53. A two-thirds majority vote is needed to overturn a veto. Senator Maker notes that because of the House vote the Senate did not get to vote on overturning the veto.
Tuell says of the House vote, "Even though this was expected, it was still quite a blow to those of us who have been working to save the facility for the past two years and longer. I am very thankful for the support of the Criminal Justice Committee, each of the Democrats, Republicans and independents in both the House and Senate who have stood by this prison and our county since the drama began, and especially those of your readers from across Washington County and beyond who have been right there with us. It was an uphill fight all the way, but having great people fighting for and with us really made it worthwhile, even though we got the short end."
Tuell is committed to continuing to pursue the prison issue. He adds, "I know others in both parties are as well, to making sure the State of Maine lives up to its promise of a facility Downeast. We have a bond to make that happen, and I believe we have support from both sides to make it happen. The next legislature will have a lot to say about it, and I believe that a new governor will also mean a second chance to get this right. I certainly look forward to meeting that governor when the time comes and impressing upon him or her the need for a facility in our region."

Rangers and retirement bills funded
Two bills that had the governor's vetoes overturned are of interest to Downeast residents.
The first bill, sponsored by Tuell, to train and arm Maine forest rangers, passed in the House 133‑9 and in the Senate 29‑4. "I want to express my deepest and sincerest gratitude to the House and Senate for overriding the governor's veto of my bill," Tuell states. "This bill faced long odds every step of the way but finally, finally, our rangers are going to be able to do their jobs safely."
The House and Senate overturned the governor's veto of the second bill, to protect the retirement plans of long‑time employees at Downeast Correctional Facility and sponsored by Rep. Robert Alley of Beals, with the House voting 139‑6 and the Senate voting 32‑1. "While I was disappointed that we couldn't save Downeast, I was pleased with the strong vote to protect the long‑time workers there," says Alley. "There are a number of employees who have worked there for more than 25 years but have not attained the state minimum age of retirement. This bill allows them to retire without paying the substantial penalty for early retirement."

Opioid treatment pilot project nixed
"Unfortunately, Washington County did not make out today," reported Senator Maker after the vote on her bill, LD 812, failed to overturn the governor's veto. "I wish to thank all of those that worked really hard during the past two years to set up some help for the opioid crisis in Washington County." The House voted 91‑52 and the Senate 34‑0. "Unfortunately, in spite of the Senate unanimously voting to override the governor's veto, we fell short of gaining two‑third support in the House for this incredibly important measure," she says.
Maker explains that the bill would have created a hotline for law enforcement, medical and emergency personnel, public officials, educational staff and members of the public to connect those in need of substance use disorder treatment with counseling, referral services, recovery coaches and other related assistance. "It did many other things, but this was something that we have heard the need" from experts consulted in the fields of healthcare, law enforcement and more. The findings of the pilot would have been reported back to the legislature. The pilot project would have used federal funds available for this type of service.
"I am extremely disappointed that we were unable to override this veto," says Rep. Anne Perry of Calais, a co‑sponsor of the bill. "The need is great for this project right now in Washington County, and the lessons we could have learned from the project could have been used as a model for further work here and in other rural parts of the state."
"The opioid abuse problem in rural counties like Washington County is just devastating, and we need to take action," Perry adds. "It grieves me that there is not enough support to seek out a possible pathway to recovery."

Medicaid expansion bill dependent on legal system after veto sustained
The majority of House members, including all the Democrats and independents who were present for the vote, along with a handful of Republican members, voted to override the governor's veto of LD 837, a bill that would have allocated specific funding for Medicaid expansion, an expansion approved by 59% of Maine voters in a November 2017 referendum. The House vote was 85‑60, not enough to overturn the veto. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments in a challenge brought by those who want to force the governor to file an expansion plan with the federal government.
"The law is the law," says Ann Woloson, executive director of Consumers for Affordable Health Care. "People should apply in order to protect their right to coverage for healthcare services received on or after July 2. It is now up to the legal system to make sure the governor's administration implements the law as soon as possible."
Consumers for Affordable Health Care is a nonprofit, nonpartisan statewide healthcare advocacy organization with the mission to improve access to affordable healthcare for all Maine people. "It's unbelievable and disappointing that some policymakers would choose politics over the health of Maine people," says Woloson, who added, "Maine voters overwhelmingly voted to expand Medicaid coverage last November  the governor and a minority of policymakers are working against the will of those voters."
Woloson encouraged people in need of health coverage to contact her organization for free help in understanding how to apply for Medicaid. Call toll‑free 1‑800‑965‑7476 or visit <http://www.mainecahc.org> for eligibility information.