PANEL AGREES ON BIPARTISAN BUDGET PROPOSAL

AUGUSTA– Early Friday morning, lawmakers on the Legislature’s budget-writing panel agreed to a responsible budget proposal that would mitigate the impact of Governor Paul LePage’s two-year budget.

“Six months ago we all agreed that we had an uphill battle to solve the state’s budget challenge,” said Senator Dawn Hill, D-York, the Chair of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. “We checked our politics at the door and came up with a solution that we can all live with. Our bipartisan solution is responsible and it prevents a massive property tax increase for all Mainers. It keeps government running and gives peace of mind to Maine people.”

The bipartisan proposal restores significant cuts to Maine’s public schools, and towns, and to programs that help Maine seniors and people with disabilities pay for their care and medicine. It also restores merit and longevity pay as well as retiree health insurance to state workers while strengthening fraud protections in General Assistance.

The measures are paid for by temporarily increasing Maine sales tax by a half a penny, closes corporate loopholes, and temporarily raises the state’s meals and lodging tax by one percent.

“You cannot demand all or nothing if you want to get something done,” said Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, the House chair of the committee. “This is a budget that restores massive cuts to our towns, schools, and to funds that help our elderly and disabled get the care they need.”

The committee is scheduled to take final action on the budget measure later today.

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