AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to adjourn sine die, ending the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature before 5 p.m. and effectively killing bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening legislative oversight of state agencies and programs.
The move brought the session to a close “without day,” meaning lawmakers declared their work complete and ended the session. In doing so, the Senate’s procedural maneuver left LD 127 in the possession of the House, preventing the bill from reaching final enactment.
LD 127, “An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature’s Access to Confidential Records,” had received bipartisan support in both the House and Senate earlier this month and again Wednesday morning, indicating the bill was on track to pass.
The legislation was designed to expand the oversight capabilities of the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee by allowing the committee to enter executive session to review confidential materials as part of its work overseeing government agencies and programs.
“LD 127 was designed to allow the Government Oversight Committee to enter executive session so they could review confidential materials and conduct their duty of ensuring our executive branch is accountable. It received bipartisan support in both bodies and was on track to pass,” said Assistant Senate Republican Leader Matthew Harrington, R-York. “Instead of doing their job as legislators, the Senate majority chose to announce that we’ve completed our work, leaving this crucial bill to die in the possession of the House.”
Sen. Jeff Timberlake, R-Androscoggin, the Senate Republican lead on the Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee, said the decision blocked an opportunity for lawmakers to pursue greater accountability within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
“There was no reason for Senate Democrats not to stay and do their job except to run cover for the Mills administration. Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ record has been atrocious with 150 children who had DHHS involvement dying over the past five years,” Timberlake said. “This was an opportunity to allow GOC to look behind the iron curtain and start the path toward real reform. Instead, Senate Democrats ran for cover and disregarded their responsibilities as legislators.”
The adjournment ended the Second Regular Session with LD 127 left unresolved, killing a bipartisan child welfare and government oversight reform effort that supporters said was needed to strengthen legislative access to confidential records and improve accountability across state government.
Maine democrats are asking for trouble. They think they are untouchable. Maybe it is time to show them what their betrayal of Mainers produces. 💥
The Mills corruption mill at work. It’s the democrats! What else can be expected!
Anyone that thinks democrats care about children are crazy. from unlimited abortions to grooming in public schools, not to mention the lack of education the children get. They use the children just like they use everything else, to further their power.