AUGUSTA — Richard Rosen, Maine’s finance commissioner, has suddenly resigned, Gov. Paul LePage introduced Tuesday.
The departure of the country’s top budget officer and key cabinet member is critical for the Maine Legislature as six lawmakers convene to attempt to broker a state price range deal and avoid a country authorities shut down. Rosen, a former kingdom senator and co-chair of the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, is exceptionally regarded by lawmakers. They lauded Rosen’s professionalism and even temper at some stage in tough financial negotiations within and beyond.
Rosen joined LePage’s Cabinet in January 2015. He did not return a call looking for comment.
Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, praised Rosen and thanked him for his career to the country.
“Richard’s work has led to a higher Maine,” Thibodeau stated. “(Rosen) is, without query, one of the most reputable voices on economic matters at the State House, and his presence might be sorely overlooked.”
Lawmakers are trying to hammer out a settlement on an approximately $7 billion, 2-year national budget. Republicans and Democrats were cut over whether to repeal a voter-authorized three percent surcharge on household income over $200,000 meant to provide cash for public colleges and replace it with another supply of school investment.
LePage has stated he will veto the price range if it doesn’t restrict spending to less than $7 billion and do away with the three percentage tax surcharge.
Failure to enact a price range by June 30, the end of the economic year, might bring about a government shutdown. The last price range might need at least two-thirds of the help in the House and Senate to be enacted as an emergency bill and override a veto.
Rosen’s absence will make it harder for lawmakers to get correct economic facts about spending and revenues.
“Very few humans are as informed approximately finances issues and the legislative process,” Thibodeau stated. “Richard’s calm, reasonable method to monetary topics became always substantially valued and favored by Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, alike.”
LePage, who gave no cause for Rosen’s resignation, has appointed David R. Lavway, deputy commissioner of operations for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, to serve as acting commissioner, according to a declaration from the governor’s workplace.
“I thank Richard Rosen for his many years of service to the State of Maine,” stated LePage in the announcement. “He has been a dedicated public servant to the people of Maine, and I want him well in his future endeavors.”
Rosen is married to Kimberly, a Republican kingdom senator representing District 8. The couple formerly owned and operated Rosen’s Department Store in Bucksport, which became one of the organizations shuttered after the Verso Paper Corp. Mill was closed in 2014.
Richard Rosen is the 0.33 cabinet member to leave the management in as many months, inclusive of Jeanne Paquette, who resigned as hard work commissioner to paintings for the University of Southern Maine, and Mary Mayhew, who resigned as commissioner of health and human offerings and a week later announced she is walking for governor as a Republican.
Others who’ve left the LePage administration include his senior policy adviser on fitness care, David Sorensen, and LePage’s pinnacle lawyer, Avery Day. Sorensen is a speech author for the Trump management and Day again to private exercise.
