LePage reportedly shelves secret plan for special session

Robert F. Bukaty | BDN

Update 2: WABI is reporting that anonymous sources say the secret plan involves selling the state liquor contract, paying down hospital debts and the changing of hospital expansion regulations.

Update: LePage denies the conversation took place as described below and says he’s keeping his options open on whether to call a special session to address his secret plan.

Original Post: Governor LePage’s secret plan, while still not made public, has reportedly been shelved for the time being. In a conversation with Democratic House Leader Emily Cain this morning, LePage said that he would not be going forward with a special session.

Jodi Quintero, Communications Director for the House Democrats, released this statement:

Rep. Cain spoke briefly with the governor this morning regarding his comments on the special session. He indicated to her that he would not be calling the legislature back in for a special session. He would wait until January to propose his idea. He did not disclose what the topic of the special session would have been. Cain was relieved to hear that the governor had backed away from his secret plan. Following the call, Cain said she was pleased to learn that taxpayer dollars would not be used for potential political gain prior to the election, as was implied by the governor’s initial comments at the GOP fundraiser in Bangor on Tuesday night.

Mike Tipping

About Mike Tipping

Mike is Maine's longest-writing political blogger and explores state politics and policy with a focus on analysis and explanation. He works at the Maine People's Alliance and Maine People's Resource Center.