BANGOR, Maine, May 24 (UPI) -- A political dispute in Maine has turned ugly, with several legislators bringing suit against legislative leaders over the issue of special session pay.
House Speaker Patrick Colwell and Senate President Beverly Daggett, both Democrats, along with the members and executive director of the Maine Legislative Council, have been named defendants in the case and have received summonses, the Bangor, Maine Daily News reported.
The plaintiffs want $100 per day in special session pay they say was earned when the Legislature adopted a state budget, adjourned the session so the budget could take effect before the end of the fiscal year, and then reconvened in emergency or special session to finish work on other bills.
The lawsuit was initiated by Sen. Tom Sawyer, R-Bangor; Reps. Robert Daigle, R-Arundel; Albion Goodwin, D-Pembroke; and Gary Sukeforth, a Union independent. The attorney for the legislators bringing the lawsuit said the lawmakers would, if successful, donate the money to charity.
