Democrats advocate for responsible tax cuts for Mainers

AUGUSTA — Five Democratic members of the Taxation Committee voted to fully fund one year of critical tax credits for Mainers. The $19 million plan, endorsed Monday, would allow Maine individuals, families, and businesses to immediately file 2015 income taxes.

The six Republicans on the committee voted for a two-year tax conformity plan that costs $38 million and jeopardizes the Legislature’s current and future ability to address other funding needs, such as education and property tax relief.

Funding one year of the plan would provide necessary flexibility to meet all the state’s priorities, while lifting roadblocks for Mainers who want to file their taxes as soon as possible.

“We have an ongoing crisis in Riverview, dangerous overcrowding in our state’s jails, rising property taxes, debilitating substance abuse in our communities, and inadequate funding for our children’s schools,” said Adam Goode (D-Bangor) Chair of Taxation. “Funding tax conformity fully for one year is a fiscally responsible way to get Mainer’s the tax credits they need while still leaving room to address our other priorities.”

Continuing calls from Democratic legislators for clear fiscal proposals have fallen on seemingly deaf ears. Without a comprehensive supplemental budget from the LePage administration, lawmakers are forced to make important fiscal decisions in the dark.

“Funding one year of these tax cuts is the most responsible option, given the sketchy funding information we’ve received from the administration,” said Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, the ranking Senate Democrat on the committee. “Our tax conformity plan will give the green light for teachers, homeowners, students and Maine’s small and medium-sized businesses to get tax credits now.”

Democrats are urging their Republican colleagues to do the responsible thing and pass tax cuts for this year while preserving the Legislature’s ability to fund other crucial legislation this year and next.

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