In a vote of 75-63, the Republican-held Maine House voted Tuesday to give final passage to a bill that ratchets down Maine’s income tax rate by using one-time money to make ongoing cuts.

“We’ve heard loud and clear from the credit agencies that this bill puts Maine’s credit rating at risk,” said Rep. Seth Berry, who has opposed the TABOR like measure that threatens funding for schools and towns across the state. “This is nothing short of an unfair and unfunded tax shift onto middle class families who are already paying enough in property taxes.”

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Among its actions this week, the Legislature defeated a controversial “regulatory takings” bill that would have cost Maine taxpayers millions of dollars, caused a proliferation of lawsuits, and blocked future laws that may be necessary to protect Maine’s environment, people, and communities. This action came when the House and Senate voted to “indefinitely postpone” LD 1810—which means the bill is now officially dead.

“This risky, costly, and radical proposal would have undermined the laws that protect Maine’s environment and communities,” said NRCM Advocacy Director Pete Didisheim. “Despite a massive effort by lobbyists to force this dangerous bill through the legislature, a bipartisan majority held firm and refused to support it. Common sense won the day over ideology.”

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Maine State Capitol photo by Ramona du Houx

Four bond proposals that would make needed investments in Maine’s colleges and universities, research and development, land conservation, and waste water and drinking water treatment gained initial support in the Maine House late this afternoon. Additional votes on these proposals and other public investments in improving roads and bridges are expected tonight.

Democrats urged strong support for the total $95.6 million in bond proposals before the House and Senate.

“A jobs bond will give our economy a much needed shot in the arm,” said Rep. Emily Cain, the House Democratic leader. “The best way to improve our economy is by making more investments that will help small businesses, job training and public education.”

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Democrats presented an alternative proposal to Gov. Paul LePage’s budget that makes the necessary adjustments to bring the budget into balance. It is responsible and prevents the harmful and risky cuts implemented in the Republican proposal.

The Democratic lawmakers proposal includes a cost-saving MaineCare restructuring initiative that will deliver more efficient health care services; a cost-saving provider-fraud recovery program, and also increases funding for the state’s rainy day fund.

The Democratic legislators solution transfers $60 million in increased revenue re-projections from 2012 and 2013 budgets to help close the gap. They also provide approximately $28 million in savings initiatives, including a provider fraud recovery savings of $5 million, salary savings of $1 million, a MaineCare restructuring task force that projects a savings of $10 million, approximately $8 million in revenue transfers from other accounts, the restructuring of Health and Human Services, and other additional items.

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The University of New England along with city leaders and business are calling for the Legislature and Governor to support a 20 million dollar research and development bond. They made the announcement at the University of New England’s Portland Campus.

“This 20 million dollars in research and development couldn’t come at more crucial time. Maine is behind when it comes to the number of graduate students in science and engineering. We rank 50th in the nation,” said Portland Mayor Michael Brennan. “Maine is struggling to build an economic base around science and technology, this is one step in the right direction. Maine must be more responsive to needs of the technology industry. Currently, Maine spends one sixth of the New England average on research and development.”

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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree took to the House floor at 11 p.m. last night to vigorously defend an attack on a new fisheries management system that she says is working for Maine fishermen. Florida Republican Congressman Steve Southerland’s NOAA appropriations provision would block future expansion of the “catch shares” management system, which he said is a “tactic determined to destroy American freedom.”

Pingree vigorously defended catch shares, saying, “It’s critical for coastal communities and working waterfronts that fishermen are allowed to utilize the best management tools for their particular fishery. Catch shares may not be the best option for every fishery, but that decision should be left to the industry, the management experts, and the scientists in their region where the fishery occurs.”

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Maine Insights is announcing a new format! Based on surveys and Google statistics that highlight your interests, this community, volunteer news magazine will report on more of what you want to read. Every day there will continue to be online reporting based on your interests. And the in-print edition will now appear quarterly, with more in-depth articles and interviews.

Maine Insights is a non-profit 501(c)4 corporation and an associate member of the Maine Press Association.
Contributions to help support this publication — dedicated to growing Maine communities — are very appreciated. Please click here for a Paypal link. We look forward to continuing to serve you as we have for the past six years! Thank you for your insights and support.

Administrator Matsuda, Congresswoman Pingree and John Henshaw, Executive Director of Maine Port Authority

Two days after news broke that a container ship company servicing Portland had ceased operation, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree showed the top maritime official in the country around the International Marine Terminal in Portland and discussed ways to attract a new company to Maine to provide the service.

“We’ve proven that there is a customer base that wants to ship container cargo in and out of Portland,” Pingree said. “And with the big improvements that have already been made at the terminal, Portland is a prime candidate for a new company to set up container service.”

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This week following the 27th Annual Ice Show, Heroes and Villains, staff at the Portland Ice Arena began the annual ice melt. The yearly event and closure of the arena allows city staff to repair and maintain the nearly thirty year-old arena. In addition to general maintenance, major improvements are planned for the heating and cooling system, which will not only dramatically improve the quality and surface of the ice at the arena, but will also save money and energy as the repairs will replace an antiquated heating and cooling system.

“Like many of the city’s assets, the Portland Ice Arena serves a special purpose within the community,” stated City Manager Mark Rees. “Thousands of residents have learned to skate, played in a league or cheered on their favorite hockey team at the arena in the past twenty-seven years and hopefully, after these improvements are made, thousands more will continue to enjoy the facility for decades to come.”

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Turner Farm, Maine

The Senate Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill late last week that contained a number of provisions to support local and organic farms. All of those provisions were included in the Local Farms, Food and Jobs Act, introduced by Pingree earlier this year.

“I was glad to see that this bill adopts some key programs that will support smaller farmers and organic farmers and make it easier for consumers to have access to local food,” said Pingree, a member of the House Agriculture Committee. “Local food is good for the economy and good for families. Consumers want access to local food and it’s time our agriculture policy start catching up with that.”

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