Sen. Nicole Grohoski to chair the Taxation Committee for the 132nd Maine State Legislature 

AUGUSTA — Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, has been appointed by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, to continue serving as Senate chair of the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Taxation for the 132nd Maine State Legislature. Two local State Representatives – Rep. Gary Friedmann, D-Bar Harbor, and Rep. Russell White, R-Ellsworth – will serve alongside Sen. Grohoski on the Taxation Committee.

The Taxation Committee works on bills, laws, and policies related to income tax credits, municipal revenue sharing, property tax relief programs, and tax increment financing. It broadly oversees the administration and reform of multiple taxes – including cannabis, estate, income, motor vehicle excise, and sales – in Maine.

“I am looking forward to continuing to chair the Legislature’s Taxation Committee,” said Sen. Grohoski. “During the last legislature, in recognition of the significant impact municipal property taxes have on many of our older neighbors, my colleagues and I improved the Property Tax Fairness Credit. These changes are now in effect for 2024 state income taxes. I will continue to collaborate with my colleagues, regardless of party affiliation, to provide additional property tax relief for Mainers across the district – and state.” 
 
Sen. Grohoski will also serve on the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee, a committee that works on bills, laws, and policies related to electricity rates, energy efficiency, the Office of the Public Advocate, the Public Utilities Commission, the Efficiency Maine Trust, the Maine Connectivity Authority, solar and wind energy, and utilities.

“I have served on the Energy, Utilities, and Technology Committee since I was first elected to the Maine House six years ago. This policy area remains a top priority for me,” said Sen. Grohoski. “In particular, I will collaborate with my colleagues to lower energy prices for Mainers, which have become a burden for too many households. As the co-chair of the Broadband Caucus, I’m pleased to see our work result in real infrastructural investments in our communities. I will continue to support efforts to connect Mainers to one another, as well as their co-workers, families, and friends.” 

Lawmakers are assigned to committees by the presiding officers based on their interests, experience and professional background. Joint standing committees are composed of three senators and ten representatives. 

Sen. Nicole Grohoski is serving her third term in the Maine State Senate. In the 131st Maine State Legislature, Sen. Grohoski was the Senate chair of the Legislature’s Taxation Committee. She was also a member of the Energy, Utilities, and Technology (EUT) Committee. Throughout her legislative career, Sen. Grohoski has been a member of the EUT Committee. For the past two years, she has been the co-chair of the Legislature’s Broadband Caucus.

Sen. Grohoski represents Maine Senate District 7 which includes 21 coastal and island communities in Hancock County, as well as the Town of Isle au Haut in Knox County. The Legislature is set to reconvene on Jan. 8, 2025. 

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