AUGUSTA - Rep. Allison Hepler, D-Woolwich, introduced LD 977, An Act Regarding the Maine Educational Opportunity Tax Credit, before the Taxation Committee on Tuesday. .
The Maine Educational Opportunity Tax Credit (EOTC) helps to alleviate student loan debt for graduates who live and work in Maine. LD 977 would extend EOTC to students who obtained an associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited community college, college or university after December 31, 2011, with the intent to support those who decided to enter higher education during the last recession. Currently, the cutoff is December 31, 2015. The bill would also apply to those who completed a Maine graduate program after December 31, 2011.
"I have heard from many students, many of whom I've taught at the University of Maine at Farmington over the years, how impactful the opportunity tax credit has been for them," said Hepler. "This bill simply acknowledges the leap of faith graduates took when they decided to pursue high education despite the economic downturn, and further incentivizes them to continue building their lives in Maine."
LD 977 is one of a slate of bills that aims to expand EOTC in an effort to address the state's growing workforce shortage.
The Taxation Committee will hold a work session on the bill in the coming weeks. Maine residents who would like to weigh in on the proposed legislation can still submit written testimony to the committee through this portal.
Hepler is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents Arrowsic, Dresden, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Woolwich and part of Richmond. She serves on the Marine Resources Committee and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Hepler], 812-1111