The comments came after LePage said no legislation would get his signature until lawmakers pass a bill to repay $484 million in Medicaid debts owed to Maine hospitals.

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ A Maine Democrat says Gov. Paul LePage's threat to veto any bill that reaches his desk is a type of political gamesmanship that doesn't belong in the state.

The comments came after LePage said no legislation would get his signature until lawmakers pass a bill to repay $484 million in Medicaid debts owed to Maine hospitals.

LePage was speaking during a call-in program on radio station WVOM.

The Republican governor has advanced a plan to settle the debt to hospitals for past Medicaid services, with income from future liquor sales. Maine's 10-year private contract for liquor sales expires in mid-2014.

Democratic Sen. Seth Goodall of Richmond, says LePage's threat "is not governing'' ... "It is the type of political gamesmanship that doesn't belong here in Maine. ``