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More than 200 bills up for Maine state funding on special appropriations table

With a little more than $11 million available, lawmakers are only able to fund a certain amount of the already-passed bills.

AUGUSTA, Maine — At an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee meeting Tuesday, lawmakers sifted through several dozens of bills up for consideration of state funding before they are signed into law. 

Just over $11 million is available in the state's general fund for the more than 200 bills on the special appropriations table; not all bills will be funded. 

Supporters of several of the bills being considered overlooked the committee meeting, awaiting to see if the issues they hold close will be included in that funding. 

One bill under consideration is LD 1761, which if passed would help retain and employ new staff for Maine's psychiatric hospitals. Mental health worker Nichole Palton said she's seen first-hand what a lack of resources has contributed to staffing shortages. 

"These mental health resources are very important, but it also takes a strain on us," Palton said. The bill would also change Maine's Public Employee Retirement System to allow workers like Palton to retire early.

Other bills people are awaiting funding for could expand sexual assault resources in state. Melissa Martin of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault explains that two separate bills up for consideration would not only help to fund current advocates and organizations involved in helping survivors but would also create a tracking database for sexual assault evidence kits. 

"It had a lot of momentum last session, and we know that it still has a lot of momentum that this is still really necessary," Martin said. 

As Maine looks to create more affordable housing, a bill to strengthen Maine's Historical Rehabilitation Tax Credit is something members of the Maine Affordable Housing Coalition are also hoping lawmakers will keep in mind when divvying out funding. 

"We're eager to see what the legislature does with the bill. We think that they will move forward because this something we can do today to immediately expand the amount of housing that can be built in Maine," policy director B.J. McCollister said.

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