AUGUSTA, Maine - Republican Gov. Paul LePage says he's introducing a bill to limit the powers of the attorney general when it comes to spending settlement money.
LePage said it's inappropriate that Attorney General Janet Mills has given herself sole discretion to spend Maine's $21.5 million settlement with Standard and Poor's.
LePage said his bill "clarifies and restricts'' the attorney general's authority to allocate the funds. His office said Friday that it couldn't provide specific details because the bill is still being edited.
Mills spokesman Tim Feeley said a court order governs how the funds are disbursed and it's not unusual for the attorney general to be given discretion in these cases. He said Mills is creating a committee of lawmakers and others to determine the best use for the funds.
