by James Cyr | Jul 10, 2015 | Uncategorized
Congratulations to Argo Marketing CEO Jason Levesque who is also a member of the Senate President’s Business Advisory Council! Lewiston Company Adding 300...
by James Cyr | Jun 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
“I am pleased that this budget has survived a veto in the Maine Legislature. “The budget process has been a long one, and the road to get here was often rocky. But in the end, we were able to agree on a budget that brings tax relief to all Mainers. I am especially happy about the tax reductions to small family businesses, including farms, as well as to military retirees. The budget also protects important programs such as revenue sharing. “This is not a perfect document. Rather, it is the product of divided government in which no one gets everything they want, but everyone gets some of what they want.”...
by James Cyr | Jun 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – In an apparent rebuff of the voters’ wishes for welfare reform that led to major gains for Republicans in the Maine Legislature, Democrats in the Maine House last night voted along party lines against a bill that would have brought comprehensive changes to Maine’s welfare system. The legislation, LD 1375 “An Act to Increase Accountability in Maine’s Welfare Programs,” is a governor’s bill sponsored by Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo). Among the reforms it includes are: A work search requirement for those who receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) A prohibition on TANF recipients using benefits for tobacco, liquor, gambling, tattoos, and bail A prohibition on TANF recipients using their EBT cards to access benefits outside of Maine The vote in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives was 76-68, mostly along party lines. The Republican-controlled Maine Senate approved LD 1375 earlier this month. “I am extremely disappointed and quite frankly surprised,” said Senate President Thibodeau. “Voters sent a clear message to all of us last fall that they wanted Maine’s welfare system reformed. They’ve had enough of the abuse and they’ve had enough of the inaction from their government. “These were commonsense reforms that were designed to protect the social safety net for those who truly need it. How Democrats in the Legislature could reject them is beyond me.” LD 1375 will likely die now that it is in non-concurrence between the Senate and House of...
by James Cyr | Jun 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – The Maine Senate today passed a comprehensive bill that adds new restrictions to Maine’s welfare programs that are designed to prevent abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits. Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) is the sponsor of LD 1375, “An Act to Increase Accountability in Maine’s Welfare Programs.” Among other restrictions, the bill: Prohibits welfare benefits from being used for tobacco, liquor, gambling, lottery, tattoos, and bail Prohibits the use of EBT cards outside of Maine Adds a work search requirement for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) if they are capable of working Imposes penalties, including termination of benefits, for abusers “I am very encouraged by today’s vote,” Senator Thibodeau said. “It’s time to bring accountability to Maine’s welfare system, and this bill does that. For years, Maine citizens have told us the state’s welfare system is broken. It is broken because it is not helping people move toward self-sufficiency at the rate it should. This bill takes enormous strides toward that goal.” LD 1375 now goes to the Maine House of Representatives....
by James Cyr | Jun 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
On June 15, 2015, legislative leaders in the Maine House and Senate reached an agreement on a two-year budget that begins on July 1, 2015, thus avoiding a state shutdown. Below are the details of the agreement. The amended budget agreement will: 1) Keep itemized deductions but charitable contributions are now counted against the itemized deduction cap 2) Increase single standard deduction to $11,600 in 2016, adjust annually for inflation. 3) Phase out taxpayer’s deduction (standard or itemized); for single the phase out range is between $70,000 and $145,000 of Maine Adjusted Gross income. The phase out starting point is adjusted for inflation beginning in 2018. 4) Tax Brackets for Single, in 2016: $0-21,050: 5.8% (Standard deduction up to $11,600) $21,051 – $37,500: 6.75% $37,501 and higher: 7.15% Tax Brackets for Single, in 2017: $0-21,050: 5.8% (Standard deduction up to $11,600) $21,401 – $50,000: 6.75% $50,001 and higher: 7.15% ***Note that these brackets are based on taxable income with the new, increased standard deduction and will be indexed for inflation starting in 2018. 5) Take Sales Tax Fairness Credit in budget, reduce credit before phase out 60%, start single phase out at $20,000 instead of $15,000, but phase out at the same rate as in budget. 6) Military pensions completely exempt; no change to $10,000 retirement deduction 7) Long-term care premium and Section 529 Plan contribution subtraction modifications eliminated; addition modifications unchanged 8) $15,000 homestead for all in property tax year 2016; state reimburses 50% of additional $5,000; $20,000 homestead for all starting...
by James Cyr | May 26, 2015 | Uncategorized
AUGUSTA – Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) today submitted a bill that would allow some hunters to wear red instead of the standard orange while hunting in Maine. The Amish faith prohibits the use of bright colors, but Amish hunters are currently forced to use the bright, fluorescent hunter orange to comply with safety regulations. The bill, LD 1430, “An Act to Allow Hunters Whose Religion Prohibits Wearing Hunter Orange Clothing to Instead Wear Red,” is currently in front of the Maine Legislature’s Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee. Senate President Thibodeau said, “Hunting is an integral part of Maine’s culture, and many of our Amish citizens are avid hunters. They just want to have the same opportunities as other hunters in Maine. “But the requirement to wear fluorescent orange while hunting conflicts with their religious beliefs, and I believe we can remedy that in the Legislature while at the same time maintaining high hunting safety standards in Maine.” The Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee is expected to vote on LD 1430 soon. Once that happens, the bill will go before the full Legislature. # # # ...
