AUGUSTA, Maine - The LePage administration's latest budget proposals to eliminate MaineCare coverage for 28,000 people, cut welfare benefits for some families and slash hundreds of state government jobs is expected to draw sizable crowds to the State House on Wednesday.

Unveiled last week, the package of budget alterations intended to plug a new, $164 million hole has elicited both cheers and jeers, sometimes from the same groups.

The state employees union has applauded Gov. Paul LePage for dropping an earlier proposal that would have required public workers who retire early to pay 100 percent of their health insurance costs until age 65. But the "change package" would eliminate more than 250 state positions, most of which are now vacant, and keeps proposed hikes in the amount employees and retirees pay into their pension system.

Filed Under : Health Care, Medicaid, Pensions