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Legislature’s Failure to Act on Budget Forces Governor to Prepare Civil Preparedness Emergency Order

June 29, 2017

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 29, 2017
Contact: Adrienne Bennett, Press Secretary, 207-287-2531

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage is prepared to issue a Civil Preparedness Emergency Order as a result of the State of Maine Legislature’s failure to deliver a budget by the end of the fiscal year, which would prevent a government shutdown.

“The Legislature has had six months to address the budget I sent to them. Now we are in the eleventh hour and liberal Democrats have still refused to budge, which will lead to a government shutdown,” said Governor LePage. “These Democrats are not interested in a budget that benefits hard-working Maine taxpayers. They are being controlled by labor union bosses and radical activists at the Maine People’s Alliance.”

Preparing for the likelihood and severity of government shutdown, Governor LePage last week directed commissioners of every department, as well as the Treasurer, Secretary of State, State Auditor and Attorney General, to determine which employees will work and which services are provided during the duration of a Declaration of Civil Emergency.

“The Executive Branch and the Judiciary are making plans and taking every precaution to ensure there is minimal impact on Mainers during a government shutdown,” said the Governor. “However, the Legislature is not working with the Executive Branch and does not appear to be making any preparations.”

While Governor LePage continues to review designations of emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis, he has already designated the following functions as emergency. Commissioners have taken planning steps to ensure that the following functions continue during a potential state shutdown to provide for the health and safety of the public and protection of state property, including revenues:

DOC: All correctional facilities

DHHS: Psychiatric hospitals (DDPC and Riverview)

Law enforcement / First responders, including:
• DPS: State Police, Capitol Police, MDEA and Fire Marshal
• IF&W: Warden Service
• DMR: Marine Patrol
• ACF: Forest Protection (on-call basis)

State Parks, including:
• ACF: All State Parks
• Baxter State Park 
• IF&W: Maine Wildlife Park, Swan Island

DAFS / Maine Revenue Services

OIT: limited operations to support emergency functions and protect infrastructure, with on-call support, as needed

All other requests that commissioners have submitted to the Office of the Governor will continue to be reviewed.

If a Declaration of Civil Emergency is issued, the Order will become effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2017, and remain in effect until the state of emergency is terminated by Executive Proclamation, or until 12:00 a.m. on July 3, 2017, whichever is earlier.

If the state of emergency still exists by 12:00 a.m. on July 3, 2017, the Order will be reviewed and revised accordingly.

 

CONNECT WITH GOVERNOR LEPAGE:

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