AUGUSTA – Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) announced today that attorney Timothy Woodcock will represent the Maine Legislature as the state’s Supreme Court takes up the case of 65 bills that are the subject of a dispute between the Governor’s office and the Legislature.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court announced it will expedite the case and hear oral arguments on July 31, 2015 and accept legal briefs that are due on Friday of this week.
It will be up to the court to decide whether 65 bills that were not acted on by the governor within 10 days of their passage are now law or, as the governor maintains, are active bills that have been vetoed and now must be addressed by the Maine Legislature.
According to Senate President Thibodeau, House Speaker Mark Eves approached him about joining the legal counsel that had already been secured by the Senate to represent both chambers in order to save taxpayer money.
“On advice of legal counsel I moved forward with this cost-saving approach. Timothy Woodcock has a long, distinguished record as an attorney and public servant.”
The Senate’s decision not to take up the after deadline vetoes submitted by the governor is consistent with the Maine Constitution and historical precedent.
“As Senate President, it is my responsibility to defend the actions and protect the integrity of the Maine Senate.
“Unfortunately many senators were looking forward to the opportunity to sustain some of the governor’s anticipated vetoes.”
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