After failing to secure a $120 million MaineCare bailout package at the State house last week, the Democrat-controlled State Legislature is slated to vote on the first part of a nearly $12 billion budget that contains spending for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

As admitted last week by Sen. Mark Lawrence (D-York), the Democratic strategy appears to be to advance the a partisan spending package in two parts, with roughly $11.3 billion of spending up for a vote on Thursday.

If subsequent spending bills added up to the approximate amount Gov. Janet Mills’ original $11.6 billion proposal, then Democratic lawmakers would likely have to restore several of the tax increases and new taxes that the governor proposed in her budget.

The latest amendment from Democrats includes an increased tax on hospitals, but it does not include the controversial tax increases on tobacco, adult-use marijuana, and entertainment streaming services Mills first proposed.

The legislative vehicle for the spending bill, LD 609 – Committee Amendment A, emerged from the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee on Tuesday afternoon after a strictly partisan vote.

That legislation will be ready to move as soon as the House of Representatives is in session on Thursday at 10:00am.