Gov. Paul LePage told reporters in Westbrook Friday that he stands behind his opposition to General Assistance for people who are undocumented.
But the governor said he's sympathetic to those who are trying to become legal immigrants. "I will help them to get legal," the governor said. He reminded reporters: "I've had the opportunity to adopt someone. It took me 10 years to get him a Green Card. I understand the system."
But the governor said that doesn't give anyone the right to "ask me to pay for his livelihood." LePage has told Maine cities and towns that if they continue making General Assistance payments to such individuals, he plans to end all state reimbursement for the program.
Maine Attorney General Janet Mills has said that might not be constitutional, since it would turn General Assistance into an "unfunded mandate."
The governor was in Westbrook to cut the ribbon on IDEXX's new "Synergy Center," a $35-million office complex. He shared a stage with one of his re-election rivals, Democratic Congressman Mike Michaud.
