Written by Susan Cover for The Kennebec Journal

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage issued a line-item veto of parts of the supplemental budget Saturday, telling lawmakers they need to be more courageous when cutting spending. "We need a profile in courage in Augusta," he wrote. "We must do what is right, without regards to the next election. It is why we all took that solemn oath and that is why I ask each and every one of you for your support of these vetoes." In his veto letter, LePage told lawmakers they had not made enough structural changes in General Assistance to gain his support. General Assistance, jointly funded by municipalities and the state, is designed to help the poor with emergency needs. Most of the money pays for housing.

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