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	Podcast:		Maine Things Considered
	Episode:		Maine County Jail Funding In Limbo As Lawmakers End Session
	Category:		Government & Organizations
	Duration:		00:03:12
	Publish Date:		2018-05-15 05:06:52
	Description:		When lawmakers abruptly ended the second regular session of the Legislature earlier this month, they left some unfinished business. Among the bills left in limbo or unfunded is one affecting Maine’s county jails, and failure to correct the situation could create some unintended serious consequences. Like scores of other bills, a measure providing funding for county jails was left unaddressed when lawmakers adjourned. The bill would have provided $3 million to cover budget shortfalls this year and $14.2 million in state aid in the new budget year starting July 1. Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce, president of the Maine Sheriffs Association, says the failure of the Legislature to act on the needs of the jails could cause some serious problems. “Some are overcrowded and it could cause them to cut back on staffing and make their jails unsafe,” he says. “Some are looking at potentially closing. Some are looking at early release, so this is a real dire circumstance.” Eight of the state
	Total Play:		0