AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. John Baldacci, spelling out how he would make up for the second $95 million reduction in state revenue estimates in three months, unveiled a budget change package Wednesday that relies largely on new proposals to cut back planned expenditures, including on state aid to local schools.
Spending on local schools would be reduced by $34.1 million, although $11 million would not come directly from allocations to districts, administration officials said.
Funding for higher education would be cut by $9.3 million.
“This is a very difficult day for all of us,” Baldacci said at a Cabinet Room news conference.
The governor also said 71 state positions would be eliminated under his plan — nearly 50 by layoffs, according to the administration.
Baldacci, a second-term Democrat, said he was not proposing new taxes or transfers from so-called Rainy Day reserves.
In that regard, said Senate Republican Leader Carol Weston of Montville, “we agree with the premise.”
