State law requires most of the surplus be directed to the ‘rainy day fund,’ transportation projects and MaineCare programs.
state budget
Posted inLocal & State, News
Could Maine finally create a statewide system for tracking rape kits?
A proposal died when the Legislature ran out of time last year. While there’s more support for the effort this year, lawmakers wonder if they will have the funding.
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Posted inLetters to the Editor
Reporting on Maine’s financial accountability requires real accounting | Letter
Jim Fossel’s April 20 column, “It’s not just about Maine state spending, it’s about accountability,” uses absolute dollars as the basis for his claims, thus distorting the facts on the state budget. He states that under Gov. Paul LePage, from 2010 to 2018, the budget “barely nudged upward” from $8 billion to $8.1 billion. During […]
Posted inKennebec Journal, Local & State, News
Maine history on the move as Cultural Building renovations wrap up
Plans are now underway for the return of the Maine State Library, the Maine State Museum and the Archive to the state Cultural Building as its $45 million renovation project nears completion.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine’s budget surplus provides $65 million for affordable housing
The state closed the 2023 fiscal year with a $141 million surplus, which is being used to fill Maine’s ‘rainy day’ fund and build more affordable housing.
Posted inLocal & State, Uncategorized
Legislature returns to tackle veto of tribal rights bill
Lawmakers also will consider an $800 million supplemental budget, but the leadership of both parties in the House were focusing their efforts Wednesday on urging tribal bill supporters to stand by their votes in the hopes of overriding Gov. Janet Mills’ veto.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
State expects another budget surplus and parties again clash over what to do with it
Higher prices and higher wages have led to more sales and income taxes being collected by the state, reigniting the debate over whether to cut taxes or invest in state programs.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics, Schools and Education
Republicans hope 20-year-old spending cap helps cut Mills’ budget
If left unamended, a safety valve tied to Maine’s commitment to fund 55% of public education could chop almost half of Gov. Janet Mills’ $900 million proposal.
Posted inLocal & State, Uncategorized
Maine lawmakers approve $1.2 billion state budget
The Legislature easily passed a budget proposal on Tuesday, including funds to send $850 checks to more than 850,000 Mainers.
Posted inLocal & State
Legislature’s budget panel supports payments to taxpayers, expands eligibility
Under the committee plan, couples earning up to $200,000 a year would now receive $850 relief payments.