AUGUSTA, Maine — Start-again, stop-again developments on authorizing more casinos in Maine took another turn Thursday when the Legislature opted to delay further action until next year.
House and Senate votes on Thursday might have avoided rejection of additional gaming opportunities in Maine for the third straight legislative session, though that question won’t be fully answered until the Legislature reconvenes in 2016.
The Legislature carried over LD 1280, which would allow a casino in southern Maine, and revived a bill that had previously been defeated, LD 1446, to also be considered next session. The latter bill called for the construction of a tribal-run casino in either Washington or Aroostook counties.
Rep. Henry John Bear of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, who was the primary sponsor of LD 1446, said after the votes that he is pleased that the Legislature opted to carry the bills over instead of killing them.
The Legislature is now adjourned until January 2016 unless a special section is called.
