Robyn Merrill, executive director of Maine Equal Justice Partners, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

The Rev. Sue Gabrielson, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

Mouna Ismail, of the United Somali Women of Maine, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

The Rev. Sue Gabrielson, executive director of the Maine Council of Churches, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

Richard Berman, founder of the Developers Collaborative, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

Interpreter Vanessa Stasse answers questions following a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

Mouna Ismail, of the United Somali Women of Maine, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.

Alain Nahimana, of the Maine Immigrants Rights Coalition, speaks at a news conference Tuesday at the State House in Augusta. The conference was held before an Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee hearing on Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposals to change the General Assistance reimbursement formula and to eliminate more assistance programs for immigrants.