SENATE APPROVES TAX CREDIT FOR WORKING MAINERS

Bill will fight hunger and homelessness in Maine

AUGUSTA—Earlier this morning, the Senate passed a bill to lower taxes for working Mainers with a vote of 19-16.

“People who work for a living deserve to be able to put bread and milk on the table,” said Senator Anne Haskell (D-Portland). “We need to think about the difference this could make to people who are working to keep their families safe, well fed, and in their homes instead of at a soup kitchen or in a shelter.”

The measure increases the state Earned Income Credit from 5% to 10% of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit. Established under Republican President Richard Nixon, the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit rewards work by providing a tax credit for income earned through employment to low and moderate income people.

“Part of our job as elected officials is to fight for the people with no voice. There is no one with less of a voice in this building than the people trying to working two or more jobs and do the best they can for their families,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson (D-Allagash). “This measure will have a noticeable impact on the fight against hunger and homelessness in Maine and am proud my colleagues supported it.”

The State of Maine has the 7th highest rate of hunger in the nation.

Republicans claimed the state could not afford to forgo this revenue; however, less than 24 hours ago they argued for tax breaks for the wealthy which would have cost the state $46 million this year alone, and reduced municipal revenue sharing by $4.7 million over two years.

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