This week, rumors are circulating that our state could be facing a partisan Democrat budget because Republicans are making the common-sense call to reduce state spending and comply with the state’s spending cap.
Last week, we told you about the spending cap and its bipartisan history:
“In 2005, Governor Baldacci signed bipartisan legislation which limited state spending growth, set targets to reduce the tax burden, and established the Maine Budget Stabilization Fund. The purpose of the law was to limit out-of-control government spending, provide tax relief, and ensure that education funding remained a top priority. This legislation received bipartisan support. Even then-Representative Janet Mills supported the measure.”
If Governor Mills and Augusta Democrats wish to circumvent legislative Republicans and ram a budget into effect this next fiscal year, like they did in 2021, they will have to pass it by the end of this month. For context, a typical 2-year budget is passed in June with ⅔ support from the legislature and multiple bipartisan negotiations.
The unilateral Democrat budget of 2021 was attributed to the Coronavirus pandemic; what do you think Governor Mills will blame on her party’s inability to work across the aisle on this time?
WELFARE FOR NON-CITIZENS RAMMED THROUGH COMMITTEE
Late last week, the majority of the Maine Health & Human Services Committee voted to include welfare for non-citizens in the already bloated state budget. Bear in mind that many of the non-citizens this applies to are not legally in the United States.
Some committee members decided it was necessary to include the language to provide welfare for non-citizens in the state budget – language based on Legislative Document 199, a bill that has not even received a public hearing yet!
Presumably, Augusta liberals would rather bury their pipedream initiatives in a budget rather than allow for Mainers to have a say in the democratic process of a stand-alone bill.
Should Maine taxpayers really be on the hook to pay for MaineCare services for non-citizens?
Do you think this is fair or appropriate?
Maine’s nursing homes are struggling. Maine people linger and die on MaineCare waitlists while their families struggle to afford basic necessities like food and heat.
Maine lawmakers should stop prioritizing the needs of those not here legally at the expense of our most vulnerable citizens and our taxpayers.
UPDATE ON THE BILL TO PREVENT WELFARE DOLLARS FROM BEING SPENT ON VACATIONS, STRIP CLUBS, AND CASINOS
Legislative Document 117, sponsored by Senator Eric Brakey, would ensure that individuals who received benefits on EBT cards and redeem them for cash have to keep receipts to ensure money has not been spent at vacation hotspots like Disneyland, in casinos, on liquor, and at strip clubs.
This bill is a common-sense measure to ensure that Maine’s welfare dollars are spent for their intended purpose – to provide assistance for recipients’ basic necessities.
This past Wednesday, March 15th, a work session was held on this bill. Unfortunately, along party lines – liberal lawmakers rejected the common-sense measure and voted for welfare dollars to end up at the bottom of a bottle and in a slot machine. In a stark contrast, the Republican committee members did vote to ensure welfares goes to our neediest Mainers.
LOOKING AHEAD: HOW YOU CAN TAKE ACTION
Maine needs your help!
There are public hearings on *NEW* taxes on Thursday, April 23rd at 1:00 PM, State House Room 127.
The first, Legislative Document 667, imposes a surcharge of 3% on incomes in excess of $1 million and 6% on incomes of $10 million.
The second, Legislative Document 843, establishes a new income tax rate of 11.15% for incomes over $125,000 for an individual and married persons filing separately; $150,000 for heads of households; and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Maine is already taxed too high, clocking in at 3rd highest tax burden IN THE NATION. Our neighbor, New Hampshire, clocks in at 46th.
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out how that equation adds up, it’s with Maine losing every time.
TELL THE POLITICIANS IN AUGUSTA: NO NEW TAXES!
It doesn’t take long to submit written testimony to OPPOSE LD 667 and LD 843. Make the committee hear you by making an Online Testimony Submission (mainelegislature.org) NOW!
LEGISLATOR OF THE WEEK
Representative Dave Boyer (R-District 87) introduced Legislative Document 835, which phases out the income tax over the next five years, starting in 2024.
This bill is a breath of fresh air that will make Maine MORE competitive in the Northeast.
Will you stand with Representative Boyer and tell Tax Committee Chairs, Senator Nicole Grohoski and Representative Joe Perry to help Maine stay competitive in the Northeast by supporting this bill?
You can submit written testimony to the committee by clicking here.
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