Westbrook, MAINE - Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett issued the following statement today in response to Republican Governor Paul LePage’s veto of an emergency bill that would continue funding for a child abuse prevention program. The governor’s veto comes in the wake of the deaths of two children from ongoing abuse. The governor has previously tried to shutter the program without a clear explanation. 

“The State Legislature had come together in an overwhelming, bipartisan manner to pass a bill that would help protect Maine’s children, and Governor LePage, once again, is the only thing that stands in its way.

“Simply put, his veto of this bill is unconscionable and unnecessarily leaves Maine children in harm’s way.

“We call on Republicans in the State House to join Democrats, under the leadership of Representative BeeBe-Center, to override the governor’s veto so that Maine can ensure that it is doing all it can to protect children across the state from child abuse.”

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