Maine Senate rejects delay of $317,000 emergency funding for Preble Street anti‑trafficking services

The Maine Senate on March 11 voted down a motion to indefinitely postpone a one-time $317,000 appropriation intended to bridge a gap in federal grant funding for Preble Street's anti-trafficking services.

Senator Moore, who moved to postpone the bill, said the federal grant cycle had been delayed and warned the state could be assuming financial responsibility for programs that the federal government might ultimately fund. "While the department is supportive of efforts to assure continuity of necessary services and provider sustainability, establishing an expectation that the state holds financial responsibility if and when Federal funding is interrupted, could have significant unintended consequences," he said, and moved indefinite postponement.

The motion to indefinitely postpone failed in a roll-call vote, 13 in favor and 18 opposed. The chair then resumed consideration of the measure.

Supporters of the appropriation, including Senator Nangle, said the state appropriation would allow Preble Street to continue services while federal funding was delayed. "Preble Street is the only organization in Maine that provides these services," Nangle said, describing emergency housing, food, medical care, legal assistance and safety planning for people escaping trafficking situations. He urged colleagues to support the funding because federal support was not guaranteed.

Senator Anguson described the appropriation as a one-time bridge: "This is one-time funding to support Preble Street Anti Trafficking Services grant in order to replace delayed federal funding not yet assured," he said, noting the legislature was responding to an eight-month delay in the federal request-for-proposals cycle and a wait list.

Senator Moore and other skeptics repeatedly pressed for clear answers about whether federal funds were now expected to arrive, when they would be disbursed, and whether the state appropriation would be returned should federal payments be made. Senator Short asked plainly: "If Preble Street gets the money from the federal government, are they going to give this money back to the state?"

Senator Bennett, a backer of advancing the bill, urged colleagues to move the measure through the normal chain so it could be considered by the Appropriations Committee if enacted: "If this is going to be funded, it will be voted on in the Appropriations Committee, and it will have to come back," he said, describing the usual path for spending bills.

Senators citing the federal timeline said the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime released a request for proposals on Dec. 30 with a March 18 application deadline and anticipated distribution on July 1; proponents argued that uncertainty in that schedule created an urgent need for a state bridge.

The bill's immediate procedural future was not recorded in the transcript beyond the failed postponement motion; senators said the appropriation, if advanced, would still be subject to further committee consideration and votes.

Votes and next steps: the Senate rejected the motion to indefinitely postpone, 13-18. Supporters said the measure would proceed through the legislature's regular channels and could return for further debate and appropriations review.