PROPERTY TAX RELIEF BILL ADVANCES AFTER APPEAL

Senator Dutremble’s bill would provide property tax relief to seniors on fixed incomes  

AUGUSTA – During the 2014 legislative session, the Legislature will consider a bill sponsored by DemocraticSenator David Dutremble of Biddeford to provide property tax relief for seniors.

“We should be doing more to help seniors stay in their homes as long as they can,” said Senator Dutremble. “Ensuring they aren’t taxed out of their homes is a start.”

In an effort to pass a bipartisan budget, earlier this year the Legislature agreed to a Republican proposal to eliminate the Circuitbreaker program and replace it with the Property Tax Fairness Credit. Under the Circuitbreaker program, the average rebate was $478, and the maximum was $1600. Under the new Property Tax Fairness Credit, the maximum rebate for people over the age of 70 is $400, less than the average Circuitbreaker rebate.

Senator Dutremble’s bill, LR 2593, “An Act to Provide Property Tax Relief to Seniors Residing in Maine”, would freeze the property taxes of eligible seniors, and reimburse municipalities for up to fifty percent of the lost revenue.

For the second regular session of the Legislature, bills that go before the entire Legislature must first be approved by the Legislative Council, a committee comprised of the ten legislative leaders. The Legislative Council met last month and approved slightly more than 100 bills.

The panel met today to hear appeals by lawmakers’ whose bills were not initially approved, and approved several additional bills, including Senator Dutremble’s measure.

The full legislature will reconvene in January 2014.

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