AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives voted today on a supplemental budget that included tax relief for 100% of Maine businesses who received a Paycheck Protection Program loan. House Republicans rejected the majority proposal and blocked passage of the bill. The vote was 83-63.
The House vote came Thursday afternoon following a Wednesday evening vote in the Senate in which two Senate Republicans voted with Senate Democrats after coming to an agreement over funding to support veterans. The House voted to adopt those amendments Thursday morning. House Republicans rejected the compromise proposal.
House Speaker Ryan Fecteau of Biddeford released the following statement on the supplemental budget vote:
"Today's vote is a message we are sending to over 28,000 businesses, the 250,000 Mainers they employ and over 160,000 Mainers who were out of work in 2020. These are the businesses who received PPP loans in my community. These are the businesses we know. These are people who have given blood, sweat and tears to survive the pandemic. This was a vote on whether we stand with them. Republicans didnt stand with them.
Democrats championed relief for Maine workers and businesses, while supporting the direct care professionals who have done heroic work caring for Maine people in the middle of a pandemic. Republicans rejected the compromise proposal in favor of a proposal that costs an additional $32 million in taxpayer giveaways to multi-national corporations, not Maine businesses who need the help."
House Democrats voted for the supplemental budget proposal. House Republicans voted against it.
Contact:
Jenna Howard (Fecteau), 207-214-3185