Augusta — Local legislators sharply
criticized Gov. Paul LePage's threat to close Maine's public schools on
May 1 if the Legislature fails to approve his proposed cuts to the
state's MaineCare program.
"The china shop bully act is really getting old," said Rep. Chuck
Kruger, D-Thomaston. "This governor doesn’t seem to understand how our
state government operates, and doesn’t seem to care. A governor can’t
simply close schools without the Legislature and municipalities involved
in the decision."
Kruger questioned why LePage decided on threatening to close schools and not other state services.
"This kind of idiotic statement will never lead us to a better Maine;
it serves only to scare us, divide us, and destroy confidence in all of
our leaders. I hope members of his own party will speak up against this
shabby and destructive behavior, as well," Kruger said.
LePage made his statement Jan. 19 during a Capitol for the Day event in Lewiston.
"If we continue the way we are, I will close schools May 1 and use
that money," LePage said. His comments were videotaped by the local
website DirigoBlue and other broadcast media.
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