Democrats used their legislative majority and control of the Blaine House to push through many bills in health care, education and the environment, but some measures still fell by the wayside.
taxes
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Maine Legislature draws close to adjournment but key battles remain
Lawmakers due to adjourn for the year Wednesday worked well into the night Tuesday to finish their work, but several major votes remain before they can call it quits.
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Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Maine House rejects bill to increase estate tax
The 70-75 vote against lowering the excluded amount from $5.6 million to $2 million comes after a short debate.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
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.
Posted inMaine Voices, Op-Eds, Opinion
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
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.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
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.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
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.