AUGUSTA, Maine — With just days left in the legislative calendar, Democrats are splitting with Gov. Janet Mills over the biggest task left ahead: passing another budget bill.

In March, the Legislature enacted an $11.3 billion spending plan to cover current state commitments over the next two fiscal years. Now, the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is drafting a second bill, considering proposals made by the governor in January, including cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services and targeted tax hikes on goods like cigarettes and adult-use cannabis, as well as private ambulance services.

"A lot of those tax hikes in her budget hit the middle class and affect essential services," Democratic Senator Joe Baldacci said Wednesday, in one of the stronger public rebukes o

See Full Page