“The Better Deal for Maine plan achieves what Governor LePage’s budget plan fails to do: It provides the greatest benefits to hard working Mainers and assures that all Maine homeowners will see a reduction in their property taxes,” said Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) executive director Garrett Martin.
The plan from Democratic legislators “will help more Maine families and businesses achieve a better future and grow the state’s economy”
Augusta, Maine (Friday, April 10, 2015) “The Better Deal for Maine plan achieves what Governor LePage’s budget plan fails to do: It provides the greatest benefits to hard working Mainers and assures that all Maine homeowners will see a reduction in their property taxes,” said Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) executive director Garrett Martin. “The Better Deal for Maine plan also maintains investment in education, health care, public safety, and other critical services that Maine families and businesses rely on to achieve a better future and grow the state’s economy. These investments will be compromised in the future if Governor LePage’s budget passes as proposed.”
MECEP had special praise for the proposed alterations in the Better Deal for Maine plan to the governor’s income tax cuts.
“Better Deal for Maine restores income tax fairness missing from the LePage plan,” Martin said. “Half of the income tax cuts in the governor’s proposal go to the wealthiest ten percent. The Better Deal for Maine plan assures that 98 percent of income tax cuts go to the 95 percent of Maine taxpayers who earn less than $167,000 annually.”
MECEP also applauded the Democrats’ decision to retain several of the governor’s proposals.
“Expanding the property tax fairness credit, broadening the list of goods and services subject to the sales tax, and creating a refundable sales tax credit for low income earners are all positive elements in the governor’s plan,” Martin said. “The governor initiated this process and the Democrats have now responded with a constructive alternative. It is now time for bipartisan action to advance a final plan for the legislature to pass and the governor to sign.”
