Politics

Maine Lawmakers Return To Deal With Child Welfare, Tax Reform

Maine Public | By Associated Press

Published August 30, 2018 at 6:38 AM EDT

Facebook
LinkedIn
Email

State Rep. Erin Herbig, D-Belfast, foreground, looks up at the results of a vote in the House Chamber, Wednesday, May 5, 2018, at the State House in Augusta, Maine.

AUGUSTA, Maine - Lawmakers are returning to deal with reforms to Maine's struggling child welfare system and the state's tax code.The Legislature is set to return Thursday to begin wrapping up a special session that has dragged on for over two months. State records show it's rare for lawmakers to still be at work so late in the year.

Lawmakers are considering 11th-hour changes to Maine's struggling child welfare program in light of the deaths of two girls.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage and lawmakers say the bills, which include $21 million of spending, are just the start of wider reform.

A widely supported bill to overhaul Maine's tax code in light of Republican President Trump's tax reform has been tabled because of politics since June. Lawmakers are expected to consider it Thursday.