AUGUSTA, Maine - Members of the Maine Board of Corrections want state lawmakers to approve an emergency $2.5 million spending bill they say is needed to avoid furloughing inmates.
The Portland Press Herald reports the board's outgoing executive director says the board would not be able to spend the money because Gov. Paul LePage has refused to appoint enough members for a quorum. The governor has said he doesn't plan to nominate new members because he views the board as ineffective. The five-seat board has two members.
The board's outgoing director says five jails are on track to run out of money before June 30. Rep. John Martin, an Eagle Lake Democrat, says he has told Aroostook County jail administrators they should consider releasing inmates if LePage won't appoint new members.
