Maine Governor Vetoes Bills, Calls for Minimum Wage Slowdown

Maine’s Republican governor has vetoed bills ranging from insurance coverage for hearing aids to help for homeless opioid users.

Gov. Paul LePage vetoed 13 bills Tuesday. Lawmakers are set to return Monday facing three dozen vetoes.

LePage vetoed a $1 million pilot project serving 25 homeless opioid users and said the project’s methods are unproven.

He vetoed a bill allowing forest rangers to carry firearms because he said the force of a gun would resolve issues instead of discussion.

LePage vetoed increasing Medicaid reimbursement for speech specialists. He said lawmakers must slow voter-approved increases to Maine’s minimum wage.

He vetoed a bill to prevent taxpayers alone from paying to audit Central Maine Power’s billing system if the audit reveals imprudence. LePage said it’s unfair for lawmakers to target one company.