(NEWS CENTER) Gov. Paul LePage (R-Maine) is expressing his frustration
with the work being done by lawmakers working to close a big human
services budget hole. He has also unveiled a series of education
reforms. Bill Nemitz of the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, and Ray Richardson of WLOB Radio and WPME-TV go In The Arena with Pat Callaghan to discuss that and more.
LePage wants structural changes in the MaineCare program. But he says of the legislature "I'm looking to develop a self reliance type of state and they want the nanny state." Nemitz and Richardson talk about whether LePage is being persuasive. They also discuss the new education reforms, including a proposal for "open enrollment," which would allow students to choose any public school to attend, and allowing public money to be used to pay tuition at parochial schools.
Also on the agenda-- the impact of the Maine GOP caucuses, the ethics questions surrounding state treasurer Bruce Poliquin, and the prospects for the same-sex marriage question.