Committee advances new supplemental budget to full Legislature without controversial changes [Video]

AUGUSTA — A legislative committee on Monday advanced a new supplemental state budget proposal that includes significant investments in housing, education and child care – and withdraws controversial changes that had proposed taking money out of Maine’s highway fund and rolling back income tax relief for pensioners.

The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee voted 8-5 in support of the budget proposal, L.D. 2214, which now advances to votes in the House of Representatives and Senate. The vote was along party lines, with Republicans on the committee voting in the minority in favor of a different amended version of the bill.

“This supplemental budget proposal is the result of hard work and invests in Maine people, supports families and helps lay the foundation for a strong future for our state,” Rep. Melanie Sachs, D-Freeport, House chair of the committee, said in a statement after the vote.

The proposal includes $76 million to increase affordable …