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House rejects motion to adjourn without day amid dispute over governor—s special session
Summary
The Maine House of Representatives voted down a motion to adjourn without day as members aired sharp disagreement about a governor—s proclamation calling an extra legislative session and about the Legislature—s recent adjournment.
The Maine House of Representatives on the first day of the governor—s extra session rejected a motion to "adjourn without day," a procedural move that would have ended the chamber—s work and signaled no return date.
Representative Greenwood of Wales moved to reaffirm the chamber—s earlier vote to adjourn without day; the motion failed on a roll call, 68 in favor and 77 opposed.
The motion and surrounding debate reflected deep frustration among some members about the governor—s proclamation calling the 130th Legislature back into session. "I was confident we weren't done with our work," Representative Greenwood said, arguing members had been told the House had completed its business and that the chief executive—s order to reconvene contradicted that earlier action. "...I think the chief executive called your side liars," Greenwood said on the floor.
Representative Collamore of Pittsfield described feeling "disheartened, confused, and more than a little hurt" and questioned the timing and priorities of the special session as lawmakers faced a budget showing a projected shortfall. "What is the point of $15,000 to ensure diaper-changing stations when we're about $100 million over projected revenues?" Collamore asked, pressing for clarity on fiscal choices.
Representative Quint of Hodge said relationships across the aisle had been strained by recent procedural events. "That trust is broken because of that vote on Thursday," Quint told colleagues, saying the rupture affects the ability of the tax committee and other panels to work together.
The presiding officer (the Speaker) and other members noted the decision to reconvene on the governor—s proclamation is reserved to the body and that statutory and procedural limits apply. The House proceeded with other business after the failed adjournment motion.
The vote result was announced by the clerk: 68 affirmative, 77 negative. The motion therefore failed and the House continued its agenda under the governor—s proclamation that summoned the extra session.
Less prominent, but related, were repeated requests on the floor about restoring voting privileges for a member from Auburn; a separate motion to suspend House Rule 401, part 11 to restore those rights also failed, 68-76.
The dispute underscores partisan and procedural tensions in the chamber as lawmakers began addressing dozens of bills during the special session.
