House Republicans Blocking $18M Spending Package

Republicans in the Maine House are blocking a proposed $18 million spending package.

The Democratic-controlled House on Tuesday night voted 82-66 to pass the measure, but the vote fell short of the 102 votes needed to override an expected veto from Republican Gov. Paul LePage.

It was a different matter in the Republican-controlled Senate, which an hour before had passed the measure in an initial 31-4 vote.

The spending plan includes $7 million for pay raises for state law enforcement officers and $2.5 million for county jails. (AP)