Several legislative committees are slated to continue reviewing bills this week, even though leadership had hoped to have that work completed by last Friday.

The Labor, Natural Resources, Transportation and Utilities and Energy committees are scheduled to finish work on proposals regarding climate and energy policy, severance pay for laid off workers and highway funds.

Lawmakers will use the remainder of the session, which is slated to end in mid-June, to debate bills passed through committees on the floor.

Milk

Several dairy farmers spent most of last week lobbying for support of the Maine Dairy Stabilization Tier Program in the hallway next to the Appropriations Committee room. Lawmakers are busy working to pass a biennial budget and historically low milk prices have made the program a drain on the state’s General Fund.

Most legislators and farmers agree on the same course of action, to continue the program as is until the allotted funds run out and hope that things turn around. But Rep. John Martin, D-Eagle Lake, has expressed concern that farmers will return to the Legislature for more money in a few months.

Members of the Appropriations Committee broke off talks last Friday and are scheduled to resume on Monday.