Impasse Shuts Down Maine Government

After Maine lawmakers failed to agree on a new state budget Friday, Mainers will have to deal with a partial state government shutdown.

The shutdown began just after midnight Saturday morning after several rounds of votes on a budget failed Friday. The Associated Press reports the budget met resistance from House Republicans

Governor Paul LePage and GOP Republicans are looking for less spending, an overall income tax cut and some support for rejected policy initiatives.

The House was scheduled to begin meeting at noon on Saturday. Union members and Democrats were the first to arrive, and held a rally outside the House floor calling for the state to pass a budget.

The proposed budget would have gotten rid of a voter-approved 3% surtax on high wage earners to fund schools as well as provide $164 million in additional funding for education.