AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has a new acting state finance commissioner to succeed Ryan Low, who’s leaving to take an administrative post at the University of Maine Farmington.

Gov. John Baldacci on Thursday administered the oath to Ellen Schneiter as acting commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services. Schneiter’s been the state budget officer since 2006.

Schneiter will have a key advisory role as the state faces a budget hole of up to $100 million in the fiscal year that started Thursday. The Baldacci administration will be looking for places to curtail programs to make up the loss.

Baldacci says he’ll nominate Schneiter for confirmation by the Senate as finance commissioner.

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