The 70-75 vote against lowering the excluded amount from $5.6 million to $2 million comes after a short debate.
taxes
Maine Legislature approves new state budget of nearly $8 billion
The 2-year spending package includes many, but not all, of the initiatives proposed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, and lawmakers from both parties speak of a new level of civility in Maine government.
Senate says ‘no’ to letting cities and towns levy their own sales taxes
But the House votes later Thursday to narrow the bill to allow only a 1% tax on lodging, in hopes of attracting additional Senate votes.
Maine House narrowly approves local option sales tax
The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would let municipalities levy 1% on restaurant meals and lodging if OK’d by local voters.
Maine Voices: Democrats in Augusta shouldn’t let fear stop them from pursuing tax justice
Rolling back cuts for the wealthy will show that the party is committed to representing the interests of all Mainers.
Bill to add tobacco tax to vaping products moves forward
The bill calls for an additional tax on all electronic cigarettes and other vaping products, at a rate similar to cigarettes and other tobacco products.
Investors warming to Maine’s opportunity zones
Economic development experts say new regulations for the tax break program will encourage investment in struggling parts of the state.
Maine cities and towns may get the chance to collect local sales taxes
The Legislature’s Taxation Committee narrowly approved a bill to let municipalities add a 1 percent tax on sales of meals and lodgings.
Committee rejects proposed tax on water bottler Poland Spring
A bill to charge a per-gallon tax on water extracted for bottling appears destined to suffer the same fate as previous measures targeting Poland Spring.
Bill aims to encourage more employee-owned businesses
Sen. Nate Libby’s measure would offer tax breaks to help owners of companies sell to their workers or tenants.