PORTLAND – Gov. Paul LePage does not intend to limit Mainers to receiving 30 days of general assistance a year, according to spokesman Dan Demeritt.

Demeritt made that clarification after LePage met with clients and service providers of Preble Street. The stop was one of several on the governor’s Capitol for a Day program Friday.

Demeritt said the governor’s budget as now drafted did not capture his intention.

"It’s a process. That’s why it’s not the law the second it comes out." Demeritt said.

LePage’s budget caused a stir among social service providers because it contained a provision that would limit recipients to 30 days of assistance in each calendar year.

Demeritt said changes would be made to the budget to reflect LePage’s intention.

"That’s probably the best thing that could have come out of it," Rep. Ben Chipman, a Portland independent who invited LePage to visit his district, said after the meeting.