AUGUSTA - Today, the Maine Legislature began voting on a biennial budget to provide funding for schools, property tax relief, rural health care and nursing homes. The Back-to-Basic Budget is a continuation of the bipartisan biennial budget that earned two-thirds support in both chambers in 2019. All Republicans rejected the budget proposal. The budget will face a final vote for enactment in the House later today.
The Presiding Officers released the following statements this afternoon outlining next steps for the Maine Legislature:
Senate President Troy Jackson:
"While I'm truly disappointed that my Republican colleagues have decided to turn their backs on a budget that had previously earned bipartisan support, we wont let politics and obstruction get in the way of doing our jobs. To ensure schools have what they need to plan for reopening, keep our promises on property tax relief and ensure our tourist season isn't threatened by a government shutdown, Maine lawmakers will pass the Back-to-Basics Budget with a simple majority, send it to the governor for her signature and then adjourn sine die. All remaining bills will be carried over to a special session and committee work will continue this week as previously scheduled. The governor has agreed to call us back into session should we be unable to call ourselves back into session.
"Given what this past year has been like for Maine children, families, seniors and businesses, the Maine Legislature has a responsibility to provide responsible, stable leadership as our state begins to rebuild. The Back-to-Basics Budget is not a political budget. Its a proposal that has already earned two-thirds support in years past and keeps our state operation as we work to put the pandemic behind us. At a time when so many people are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, lawmakers should not be playing politics with the budget or our health and economic recovery."
House Speaker Ryan Fecteau:
"Tonight we will adjourn after passing a budget that provides Maine people and businesses with the predictability they deserve, but we will immediately return to our work. If necessary, we will poll the Legislature tonight to call ourselves back in. I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to find common ground for the people of Maine. If Republicans refuse to return work, Governor Mills will call the Legislature back in."
The Back-to-Basics Budget would take effect 90 days after the Maine Legislature adjourns sine die. Maine lawmakers plan to adjourn sine die tonight to ensure that the budget takes effect before the end of the state fiscal year on June 30.
Presiding Officers will poll lawmakers tonight to reconvene at the Augusta Civic Center on April 14. If two thirds of each Legislative caucus does not vote to return to session, Gov. Janet Mills will call the Legislature back into session at the Augusta Civic Center on April 28. Presiding officers will issue a Joint Order to carry over all measures to a special session and allow legislative committees to continue their work as previously scheduled. This includes all committee hearings and work sessions.
Following the biennial budget vote, the Legislature will continue its work. The Legislature will also consider infrastructure bonds, work on Maines transportation budget and work with the Mills administration to address the federal funds that will be coming in through the American Rescue Plan.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS:
The Back-to-Basics Budget keeps our promises on property tax relief.The Back-to-Basics Budget keeps our children safe and supports Maine teachers and school districts as they prepare to reopen for in-person learning in the fall.
- Under this budget, 54,000 Mainers can get property tax and/or rent relief through the Property Tax Fairness Tax Credit. The state returns a portion of property tax or rent to eligible Maine homeowners and renters when they file their income tax returns. Maine seniors can save up to $1,250 in property taxes, and eligible working Mainers and families can save up to $750 on property taxes or rent.
- Under this budget, Maine homeowners can take $25,000 off the value of their home and only pay property taxes on the remaining amount through the Homestead Exemption Program. Towns will get 70 percent reimbursement from the state.
- Under this budget, Maine people and municipalities can count revenue sharing at 3.75 percent to stabilize property taxes and fund essential services. Historically, Maine returns a percentage of the revenue generated by sales and income tax back to cities and towns. The goal is to fund property tax relief by helping to pay for these municipalities local schools, police officers and other essential services.
The Back-to-Basics Budget supports rural hospitals and the health of Maine people.
- School districts all across the state need to know what they are getting for funding now so they can plan to fully return to in-person instruction five-days a week in the fall. The Back-to-Basics budget adds $45 million for education, bringing the total share of state funding up to the highest level its been at 51.83 percent.
- The budget continues ongoing workforce training funding for the Maine Community College System to help fill critical gaps in the workforce.
- The budget invests in our rural hospitals, nursing homes, and health clinics so Maine people can continue to rely on them in a public health crisis.
- The budget funds the low-cost drugs from Maines elderly program providing relief to Maine seniors. The high cost of prescription drugs is harming our seniors, who need this medicine to survive. The budget funds another program that makes prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to our seniors.
- The budget prioritizes the safety of Maine children and families from violence. It allocates $5 million to domestic violence and sexual assault services and supports child protection workers. The goal is to better protect Maine children from child abuse, provide relief to caseworkers with unmanageable caseloads and step up for survivors of abuse and assault.
Contact:
Christine Kirby (Jackson), 294-2468
Jenna Howard (Fecteau) , 214-3185