BANGOR

Don’t count on hoisting a pint of your favorite brew at 6 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day just yet.

During a Bangor radio station interview this morning, Gov. Paul LePage said he will veto every bill that crosses his desk until his plan to repay hospitals goes into law. That includes the bill that will allow bars to open at 6 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on a Sunday this year.

LePage was speaking to Rik Tyler, on the George Hale/Rik Tyler Show on WVQM 101.3 and WVOM 103.9. The governor said he will veto any and all bills — including his own — until the emergency legislation he submitted is signed into law. LePage said he notified legislators of that intent last week.

Adrienne Bennett, the governor’s spokeswoman, confirmed the statement this morning, shortly after the interview.

“I know,” Bennett said. “I scheduled the interview.”

Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall, DRichmond, accused LePage of a lack of leadership.

“In one week, we’ve heard ongoing threats to shutdown state government if Republicans don’t get what they want,” Goodall said. “Today, the governor promised to veto every bill that comes across his desk if he doesn’t get what he wants.

“This is not governing. This is not leadership.

It is the type of political gamesmanship that doesn’t belong here in Maine. I suspect the people of Maine want leaders not schoolyard bullies. We have serious challenges facing our economy and we should be focused on finding solutions not making threats.”

LePage has said the state’s hospitals must be paid the $484 million they are owed and that he’ll issue $205 million in bonds, for a total direct investment of nearly $700 million into Maine’s economy in 2013.

The governor announced last week that he has submitted emergency legislation to the Revisor’s Office that will authorize the state to immediately issue a revenue bond on its future liquor sales when enacted. The state will retain operational control over liquor sales starting in the summer of 2014 when the current 10-year private contract expires. That revenue bond would cover the $186 million the state owes its hospitals for MaineCare services dating back to 2009 and immediately trigger a $298 million federal match.

“Maine people work hard to pay their medical bills. This plan puts Maine on the right track to doing the same,” said LePage said. “By paying the state’s bills we strengthen our economy and the hospitals that care for and employ Maine people. Hospitals will be able do the same including paying new and existing employees and local vendors, pursuing capital improvements and maintaining the high level of service that has earned the state national recognition for quality care.”