AUGUSTA, Maine — Despite rising tension between parties on spending priorities, lawmakers in both chambers of the House and Senate finalized a supplemental budget to close out the legislative session.
"I feel as though there's a lot to be proud of, even though we did go quite late," Rep. Sophia Warren, D-Scarborough, said.
After days and hours of deliberation, the final budget includes millions to increase affordable housing in Maine, investments towards mental and public health services, K-12 education, and a long list of other priorities.
Also included in the state budget is $60 million to go towards rebuilding coastal communities after severe weather hit the state earlier this year.
"I think the coastal storm relief funding, I think, was a great bipartisan effort," Rep. Warren said. "In light of what we saw, with these recent storms...It's a rainy day fund that we're pulling from and it truly is a rainy day."
Other lawmakers are applauding several gun safety legislation bills that were proposed in the wake of a mass shooting that killed 18 and injured 13 in Lewiston last October.
Now approaching Gov. Janet Mills' desk, several bills look to introduce a 72-hour waiting period on gun sales, preventing the sale of certain gun devices like bump stocks, and measures to strengthen Maine's yellow flag laws already in place.
"I think it's just representative of how the people of Maine feel. That there really has been a huge outcry from the majority of Mainers who want these measures passed," Maine Gun Safety Coalition Executive Director Nacole Palmer said.
However, some lawmakers are also pointing fingers over how the legislative process unfolded this session; from last-minute bills and changes as the reason why some highly-anticipated issues died on chamber floors.
"I think there has to be a process no matter which side is in charge. That everybody has a chance to have their 'day in court,' per say," Senator Jeff Timberlake said, who also recommends the Joint Rules Committee should meet to revise legislative standards, to avoid down-to-the-wire decisions in the next session.