Times Record Says “Maine Can Do Better”

Great editorial in the Times Record this Thursday:

“Yes, it’s good news that a $50 million improvement in state revenues and a $28 million Medicaid windfall allowed Gov. John Baldacci a week ago to lower the state’s budget shortfall by some $78 million.

And on Wednesday, the state budget picture brightened even more with the announcement that additional federal funds would come to Maine under the just-approved Jobs Bill, bringing the Medicaid windfall up to $46 million.

Those revenue boosts have enabled Baldacci to  restore millions in funding for health and human services, including increased support for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, disability services, mental health crisis intervention and home-based services. The governor also partially restored funding for public schools and higher education — with $20 million being provided for K-12 education and $8 million for higher education in FY 2011. He also added $6 million for municipal revenue sharing for FY 2010.”

See the full story at the Times Record.