AUGUSTA — A bill has died that sought to overhaul a Maine business tax credit program that came under scrutiny after a newspaper report.

The Republican-controlled Senate voted 19-15 to defeat the bill on Tuesday.

The bill initially sought to expand the New Markets Capital Investment Program, which aims to encourage business investment in poor communities. But the proposal was changed after a Portland Press Herald report showed that out-of-state investors were collecting millions of taxpayer dollars and providing little in-state benefits.

The version of the bill approved by the Democratic-controlled House late Monday would eliminate the one-day loan scheme used by the investors and require the state’s Government Oversight Committee to review the program. Democrats also sought to amend the bill to ensure that taxpayer dollars could be recouped when the program had been abused.

The bill is now dead.

Speaker Eves says they are pushing to get all their work done by the end of the night – coming back at 7 p.m. #mepolitics

— Scott Thistle (@thisdog) June 23, 2015

Updated 2:30 p.m.: Maine’s House of Representatives has supported a bill to expand Medicaid coverage to more residents, but the bill faces long odds.

The Democratic-led voted 81-64 on Tuesday in favor of the proposal to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage to roughly 70,000 more residents. It heads to the Republican-controlled Senate.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage fiercely opposes expanding Medicaid and has vetoed several similar bills, including a proposal crafted by two Republican senators. He and Republican lawmakers say it would be too costly and that Maine needs to ensure the most needs of the elderly and disabled are first.

Democrats say that expanding Medicaid would pump money into Maine’s economy and create jobs. Democratic Rep. Drew Gattine said that the “politics of health care” is holding Maine back.

About 20 more lawmakers would need to support the bill in the House to override a veto from LePage.

Updated 1:10 p.m.: The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives has given initial approval to a bill that could allow a casino to be developed in southern Maine.

The House voted 83-62 in favor of the bill on Tuesday. It faces further votes in the House and Senate.

Under the bill, the state would seek proposals for a resort-style casino in York or Cumberland County. It would have to be approved by voters in that county.

The bill establishes a competitive bid process and lays out the minimum license fee and required investment, among other things.

Supporters say the state must establish a comprehensive framework for bringing more casinos to Maine or people will continue to use the citizen initiative process to do so.

But opponents say that a state with only 1.3 million people and already has two casinos doesn’t need more gambling.

A bill that would allow the state’s American Indian Tribes to bring a casino to their communities is expected to die.

Updated 12:25 p.m.: Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s latest effort to overhaul Maine’s welfare programs appears to be headed for defeat.

LePage’s bill, introduced by Republican Senate President Michael Thibodeau, was rejected by the Democratic-controlled House with a 76-68 vote late Monday. The Republican-led Senate had already approved the bill.

The disagreement between the two chambers means the bill will likely die.

LePage’s bill would prohibit people from using electronic benefit transfer cards outside of Maine. It would also create a work search requirement for welfare recipients, among other things. A similar effort was defeated last session.

Thibodeau said he couldn’t see why Democrats would reject the “common sense reforms.” Democrats have said that the governor’s proposals would hurt people who are struggling to get back on their feet.

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