Across Maine, severe winter storms in recent years have caused tens of millions of dollars in damage to public infrastructure, while farmers have faced major crop losses from drought. Communities are also grappling with sea level rise, rising insurance costs, and threats to fisheries and public health. Now, Maine lawmakers are moving forward with a…
The legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee has approved a proposal to add a “millionaire’s tax” to the state’s supplemental budget. The amendment will add a 2% surcharge on annual income over $1 million for single filers and $1.5 million for married couples and other filers. “I just started overwhelmingly crying when I found out…
Annemarie Morse has experienced houselessness twice as an adult despite working full time for years in Lewiston and at times holding multiple jobs. Morse shared their story in front of Maine lawmakers during a public hearing regarding taxes and housing Thursday, Feb. 19 for Gov. Janet Mill’s proposed two-year budget. A series of housing disruptions…
On Friday October 17, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee will hold joint meetings with the Taxation and Health and Human Services Committees to hear from representatives of the Mills Administration on the impacts of HR 1, the Republican megabill (pitched by President Trump as the “Big Beautiful Bill”) on state programs and the budget. HR…
Maine lawmakers have approved funding that will keep the state’s network of family planning providers operating for another year. On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee passed an amended version of LD 143, “An Act to Improve Women’s Health and Economic Security” — sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Pierce (D-Cumberland) — which…
Maine’s legislature passed the second part of the biennial budget on Wednesday, following the recommendations of the majority of members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, and building on the “part 1” budget the legislature passed in March. The package approved by the legislature funds major state government initiatives, particularly in the MaineCare program, and avoids…
The state will not be able to promptly pay health providers for their care of MaineCare recipients, because Republicans chose, in a reversal, not to support Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget proposal. MaineCare covers about 400,000 people, including half of all Maine children. The short-term budget was set to provide an extra $118 million to…