Gov. Paul LePage vetoes Jared Golden's bill to help veterans get IDs

AUGUSTA — A Lewiston Democrat who tried to help provide identification cards to veterans who need them to access federal health care facilities said Thursday he is disappointed and insulted that Gov. Paul LePage vetoed his bill.

Assistant House Majority Leader Rep. Jared Golden said the governor has been calling on the Legislature to resolve the problem for about 500 southern Maine veterans who lacked a required identification card.

“Now, when the Legislature sends him a solution, he vetoes it,” Golden said. The governor's repeated expressions of concern about these veterans are not reflected in his decision to veto this bill. It's clear that for the governor these 500 veterans are nothing more than political tools, Golden said.

LePage defended his decision to veto the measure.

“Though I agree with the sentiment to help veterans seeking medical care, we cannot forget all the other groups that have experienced problems” due to the lack of federal Real IDs in Maine, LePage said.

Read more: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2017/03/30/gov-paul-lepage-vetoes-jared-goldens-bill-help-veterans-get-ids/2103449