AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage reiterated his support for several budget cuts in a two-page spreadsheet released to Republican lawmakers recently as the Appropriations Committee prepares to vote out a budget this week.

The committee is working mostly behind closed doors as both parties try to come up with solutions to fill an $82 million budget gap at the Department of Health and Human Services. Chairman Patrick Flood, R-Winthrop, said last week that budget work must be completed by Thursday in advance of the full Legislature’s return next week.

LePage spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett said the governor wanted to reissue proposals he put in previous budget documents. Democrats say they have been shut out of the process, and were only shown the list last night when two committee members asked to see it.

The list shows many items still on the table, including:

— Eliminating Medicaid coverage for 19- and 20-year-olds

— Eliminating the Drugs for the Elderly and Medicare Savings Program

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— Eliminating state funding for Head Start

— A $40 million payment to hospitals for state debt dating back to 2009

— Cutting General Assistance reimbursements to big cities from 90 percent to 50 percent and limiting housing to 90 days

— Tax cuts for commercial greenhouses, wood harvesters and those on active military duty
 


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