AUGUSTA — A bill unveiled Tuesday by Gov. Paul LePage is the second attempt in a year to allow land held for conservation to be taxed, and an official from a top conservation group said while it wouldn’t apply to a large share of land, it’s a “slap in the face of land trusts.” It’s […]
taxes
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage wants to tax land held for conservation
Gov. Paul LePage plans to introduce a bill in the House of Representatives on Tuesday that would remove the property tax exemption for land held for conservation or public access by 2017. With less than a month to go before the legislative session’s scheduled end and this being a significant policy change, the bill probably won’t go far in 2016. But it’ll touch off […]
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Posted inLetters
Budget out of line with reality
Bucksport, Lincoln, East Millinocket, Millinocket, Old Town, Otis in Jay, Eastern Fine in Brewer, Pine State in Lisbon — mills shut down and jobs gone, some 120 jobs in Rumford, 300 at Verso in Jay. Company officials all cited the same reason — foreign competition and high taxes. Sure, it is nice that Rumford gets […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature passes tax, school funding bill
By signing the tax & edu bill we send a msg that we are investing in ME Business, families, & students. #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/uBTQ5YpSAb — Paul R. LePage (@Governor_LePage) March 10, 2016 AUGUSTA — A compromise on tax conformity sailed through the Legislature on Wednesday, which should be signed by Gov. Paul LePage and put to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Paul LePage agrees to put $15 million toward education in tax deal
AUGUSTA — Maine legislative leaders and Gov. Paul LePage on Tuesday were closing in on a bipartisan compromise combining federal tax conformity with $15 million in school funding. Senate President Mike Thibodeau, R-Winterport, and Senate Minority Leader Justin Alfond, D-Portland, said legislative leaders from both chambers agreed on that potential framework, are presenting it to members […]
Posted inMaine
LePage proposes death to death tax; Dems call it giveaway for the rich
AUGUSTA — A bill submitted by Republican Gov. Paul LePage that aims to eliminate the state’s estate tax came under fire Thursday as Democrats assailed him for offering “another tax cut” to the state’s “super wealthy.” A law change in 2015, passed over LePage’s veto, increased the exemption for estates from $2 million to $5.45 […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston: More students equals bigger budget proposal
What you need to know What’s the proposed budget and its impact? The Lewiston School Department preliminary budget is $69.9 million, a 7.8 percent increase. Superintendent Bill Webster thinks these numbers will go down. Property taxes are estimated increase 3.9 percent, or $58.50 more a year for a home assessed at $150,000. Why is it […]
Posted inMaine
Maine taxes: Five things lawmakers agree on (and two they don’t)
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers are in the midst of an election-year struggle over a bill that pits pro-business Republicans against pro-education Democrats. The bill offers about $38 million over the state’s two-year budget cycle in tax credits and deductions to Maine residents and businesses, with the two sides fighting over a specific $11.5 million tax […]
Posted inFranklin, Livermore Falls Advertiser
Mill troubles front and center as Livermore Falls budget process begins
LIVERMORE FALLS — Although Verso’s Androscoggin Mill is in Jay, its impact on Livermore Falls businesses and residents is considerable. In the wake of recent mill layoffs, the Livermore Falls selectmen and Budget Committee are trying to come up with a budget that limits tax increases. “Our neighbors to the north are cutting their budget,” […]
Posted inBusiness
Local businesses to lawmakers: Pass tax bill, increase predictability
AUGUSTA — Fearful of not being able to file their taxes in time and of having to face filing inconsistencies, local business leaders were pressuring state lawmakers in Augusta on Friday, urging them to quickly pass tax conformity legislation. With most businesses required to file taxes by March 15, politicians have been wrangling over changes […]