The measure would allow Maine tribes to benefit from new federal laws and programs, but the governor says the nature of Maine’s 1980 land claims settlement means any changes should be negotiated with the state.
Gov. Janet Mills has asked a congressional committee to delay action on a bill sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, a fellow Democrat, that would put the state’s tribes on equal ground with those in other states going forward.
Mills’ chief counsel sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee last week saying that the nature of Maine’s 1980 land claims settlement means the issue should be negotiated between state and tribal leaders, and that Congress should wait until those negotiations are complete.