AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — To the applause and cheers of lawmakers, the 2011 Maine legislative session ended Wednesday evening with Gov. Paul LePage and leaders of both parties ticking off a list of accomplishments during the past six months including lowering taxes, overhauling health insurance and easing state regulations.

While highlighting successes they accomplished in bipartisan efforts, leaders also acknowledged their differences.

“The first session of the 125th Legislature was one of extraordinary accomplishment,” House Speaker Robert Nutting, R-Oakland, said before the final gavel came down. “Working together, Republicans and Democrats passed a two-year budget that contains the largest tax cut in Maine history, and reforms to the state retirement system that will protect the program’s longevity and save taxpayers billions.”

In remarks to the House and Senate, the Republican governor ticked off gains he said were accomplished, then listed a couple of issues he’ll push next year.

“I’m very pleased with the work we’ve all done,” LePage told senators. He called the health insurance reform bill that passed after a bruising fight this spring “an A-plus in my book” that will go a long way toward lowering health care costs. The law, passed over Democrats’ objections that it was rammed through, introduces a series of changes including allowing smaller companies to band together to get better rates.

LePage also thanked lawmakers for their bipartisan work passing a $6.1 billion, two-year budget, which lowers the state’s pension costs and reduces taxes by $150 million. The tax cut is hailed by Republicans as Maine’s largest ever. He also expressed satisfaction with a law that updates and streamlines state permitting and regulatory rules.

But LePage’s preview of the issues he will bring forward in 2012 took Democrats by surprise, particularly his promise of legislation to get rid of “fair share” fees state workers must pay in lieu of union dues if they don’t want to be union members. New contract negotiations between the administration and the Maine State Employees Association, which represents about 13,000 state workers, are under way.

Democratic Rep. Jeff McCabe of Skowhegan said he was taken aback by LePage’s statement.

“It doesn’t seem like the appropriate time to set this agenda,” said McCabe.

The House Democratic leader, Rep. Emily Cain of Orono, decried the “threatening tone” of LePage’s remarks, saying they suggest “that next session will be even an greater test of this branch of government than the past six months have been.

“House Democrats are up for this challenge and we hope our Republican colleagues are as well,” Cain added. “It will not be easy, but it is essential that we continue to honor the legislative process and focus on a shared philosophy of the best work we do, we do together.”

Another issue LePage promised to bring forward in 2012 is lowering energy costs. He gave no specifics.

After dealing with about 1,600 bills over the last half year, lawmakers closed their session after taking final action on several straggling measures that ping-ponged between the chambers through the day. Among them was a bill to make synthetic drugs known as “bath salts” Illegal. The drugs have been the cause of dozens of drug overdoses in the state in recent weeks.

Lawmakers also sent to the governor a bill to legalize fireworks in the state, which he is expected to sign.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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