AUGUSTA — Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has issued the wording for a people’s veto of the state budget.

Six current and former GOP lawmakers filed a petition with Bellows to pursue a people’s veto, which requires them to gather more than 67,000 signatures in 90 days. If they are successful, the $11.3 billion two-year budget passed by Democrats last month will be put on hold pending a vote of the public in November.

The question authorized for circulation is: “Do you want to stop most state government operations and programs, including new and ongoing state funding for cities, towns and schools, by rejecting the state’s two-year budget?”

Democrats passed the budget last month without Republican support, citing uncertainty from the federal government and a need to give cities, towns and schools clear direction about the funds they will receive from the state. 

Republicans described the move as an unnecessary power grab by the majority party that left them out of the negotiating process.

When asked about the people’s veto, House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) described it as “a tool in the toolbox” for Republicans frustrated with the process.