By Ramona du Houx

March 31, 2010·

Governor Baldacci recognized Commissioners Ryan Low, (center) and other members of the Cabinet, who worked with the Appropriations Committee and their individual committees of jurisdiction to create an open process that resulted in collaborative budget. Photo by Ramona du Houx

On March 31, Governor John E. Baldacci today signed LD 1671, “An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations for the Expenditures of State Government.”

“In Maine, we have shown that bipartisanship can work,” said Governor John Baldacci. “Democrats and Republicans came together during one of the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression. We have passed a responsible budget that protects lives, but also makes significant reductions in State spending.”

To highlight the task overcome with the supplemental budget, the Government said that in 2001, State spending was $2.65 billion. In 2011, the amount will be $2.69 billion.

“In December, when I presented my plan to close an anticipated $438 million gap in the State budget, my priorities were to align spending with revenues, make government more efficient and avoid raising taxes, while protecting the most vulnerable. In an overwhelmingly bipartisan way, we have approved legislation that does all of that,” said the Governor. “State government will be smaller, we have made important structural changes that will reduce the cost of government going forward, and we will begin rebuilding our reserves.”

In signing the legislation, Governor Baldacci recognized the work of the members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, legislative leaders and the members of his Administration who worked to re-balance the State budget.

“These are not the best of times,” said Baldacci. “But we have worked to make the best of the times we face.”

The emergency legislation takes affect immediately.