SENATE DEMOCRATS FIGHT TO LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR NONPROFIT PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

AUGUSTA—Senator Stan Gerzofsky (D-Brunswick) and Senator Seth Goodall (D-Richmond) led the effort on the Senate floor to override Governor LePage’s veto of LD 205, a measure aimed at fostering economic opportunities in Maine’s downtowns. Four Republicans and one Independent joined Senate Democrats in a vote of 19 – 15, missing the necessary two-thirds override by only three votes.

“I am disappointed by today’s result,” said Sen. Gerzofsky, the bill’s sponsor. “Easing the sales tax costs to these local nonprofit businesses, would have helped these organizations grow their businesses, provide stable jobs, and support job growth in the tourism and retail sectors.”

The measure, if enacted, would have created fairness for non-profit performing arts organizations to fall in line with other cultural nonprofit organizations that hold tax exempt status such as libraries, museums, historical societies, literary groups, schools, school booster organizations, educational television and radio, and even summer camps.

“Performing arts centers are economic engines that attract people to more than just their venue but also to restaurants and shops and other key economic hubs of our local economy,” said Sen. Goodall. “We need to do everything we can to create positive economic consequences for our downtowns and small businesses.”

Locally, the Maine State Music Theater and Bowdoin International Music Festival have an economic impact in excess of $2 million, much of which comes in the form of thousands of attendees and visitors shopping and eating in Brunswick, Bath, Freeport, and Portland region.

Despite the bill receiving bipartisan support in both bodies of the Legislature, the Governor vetoed LD 205 last week.