Taxes and Budget MECEP statement on the Governor’s announced budget change package AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) applauds the governor’s proposed additional funding for behavioral health services as a step toward addressing unmet needs left out of the original budget […] Posted March 18, 2022 Tags Budget, Health Care, Housing, Property Tax, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Legislature moving to curb ‘dark store theory’ tax assessments A report on “dark store theory” by the Maine Center for Economic Policy said that when a big box retailer moves to a new location, it often […] Sun Journal Posted March 15, 2022 Tags Dark Stores, Property Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Our View: Law would level playing field between communities, big retailers Since 2015, large retailers in Maine have lowered their valuations by more than $16 million combined using this strategy, costing cities and towns hundreds of thousands of […] Portland Press Herald Posted March 14, 2022 Tags Dark Stores, Property Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Maine House kicks off floor votes by lifting cap on clean syringes, taxing ‘dark stores’ A 2019 report by the Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) found that of the 25 Maine towns with the highest retail sales, 17 had big box stores appeal […] Beacon Posted March 11, 2022 Tags Dark Stores, Property Tax, Tax Breaks, Tax Fairness
Taxes and Budget MECEP statement on passage of bill to stop corporate tax scheme AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) applauds the Maine House of Representatives’ bipartisan vote today to prevent big box retailers from using a tax scheme called […] Posted March 9, 2022 Tags Dark Stores, Economy, Property Tax, Tax Fairness
Taxes and Budget ‘Dark store theory’ leaves local residents paying more than their fair share in taxes Even if you have never heard of the “dark store theory,” odds are you’re paying the price for it. While everyday Mainers and small business owners pay […] Bangor Daily News Posted March 7, 2022 Tags Budget, Dark Stores, Local, Property Tax, Tax Fairness, Taxes
Maine’s Economy Legislative jab at big-box retailers' 'dark store theory' up for decision Most towns and cities don’t have the resources to fight appeals that a denied assessment for large national corporation might bring, said Sarah Austin, lead policy analyst […] MaineBiz Posted March 11, 2020 Tags Property Tax, Taxes
Taxes and Budget Bill would crack down on ‘dark store’ property tax appeals “Across the country, the large retailers that own big-box stores have used this dubious legal theory to challenge local assessments, arguing they should be taxed as if […] Portland Press Herald Posted February 10, 2020 Tags Property Tax
Taxes and Budget Lawmakers To Debate: Should Maine's Big-Box Stores Be Taxed As If They're Empty Or Full? Sarah Austin, an analyst for the left-leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy, says the tax reduction requests by Walmart and other large retailers have grown in recent […] Maine Public Posted February 10, 2020 Tags Property Tax, Taxes
Taxes and Budget NEW REPORT: Offshore tax haven abuse costs Maine up to $52 million annually Maine does not need to wait for federal action to stop corporate tax avoidance AUGUSTA, Maine — Huge, multinational corporations such as Apple, Pfizer, Exxon Mobil and Google […] Posted February 6, 2020 Tags Property Tax, Taxes