The Maine Legislature voted for the budget year after year on Thursday night, but the session was delayed by long-term debate over the inclusion of trans athletes and the blame of Republican Rep. Laurel Libby.
Libby, who was criticized in a social media post in which Maine's Democratic majority and speaker Ryan Fecto identified minor trans-athletes, proposed several amendments to the state's budget through loopholes in the state's legislative policy.
Libby submitted a 10th floor amendment to the budget Tuesday before the deadline, but this was not hampered by the accusations. As such, Libby was allowed to speak and present these modifications during Thursday's session. One of these revisions had nothing to do with the budget, but it was a proposal to keep trans athletes out of women's sports.
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However, when Libby spoke to present her revision, several Democrats protested and incited arguments with Republican representatives.
“During the presentation process for that floor revision, there was floor debate between Republicans and Democrats about my accusations, so there was a second vote on the accusation that reaffirmed my voice and the Democrat's commitment to silence my vote,” Libby said.
On January 3, 2024, the Maine Capitol building is at dawn in Augusta, Maine. (AP photo/Robert F. Bucati)
In addition to Libby's proposal to ban trans athletes from Girls Sports, she has proposed multiple budget bills that cut taxes and government spending. These proposals included abolishing taxes on solar energy, abolishing free community colleges and abolishing the recent 1% payroll tax.
However, Libby's revision was not considered, and Democrats moved to postpone the revision indefinitely.
Trump administrator responds to Maine's unwillingness to ban trans athletes from women's sports
“I couldn't speak to them, defend them and seek the benefits they would bring to the people of Maine,” Libby said.
Ultimately, the passed budget did not include Republican input. The main house approved a $11.3 billion spending plan with 74-67 votes along the party line. The Senate passed 18-17, with two Democrats joining Republicans in opposition.
Libby was accused of her social media posts identifying a minor by her name in the photo. Libby's post noted that after the athlete competed as a boy exactly a year ago, the transgender track and field athlete finished first in the main girl pole vault competition.
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“This is an amazing double standard, as there are many places, social media and even some public photos of this individual posted by his school. And yes, this post has spread, but this was an individual who took part in a public event, stood on the podium and publicly accepted a championship medal belonging to a girl standing on the FOX Niad.”
Libby filed a lawsuit against Fecteau and Maine House Clerk Robert Hunt.
Libby represents more than 9,000 components of Maine House District 90, six of whom have signed the lawsuit as plaintiffs because the accusations prevent her from carrying out other legislative measures serving those members.
“The actions of the speaker not only deprived me of my rights, but also deprived me of the thousands of members I represent, and that's the whole picture here. The fact that in his eyes the speaker retaliated against me because he didn't like what I had to say,” Libby previously told Fox News Digital.
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