Release: Maine Policy statement on Gov. Mills’ reconsideration of tax conformity
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2021
Contact: Jacob Posik
Director of Communications
Office: 207.321.2550
Maine Policy Institute Statement on Gov. Mills
Reconsideration of Tax Conformity
PORTLAND, Maine – Maine Policy Institute CEO Matthew Gagnon issued the following statement Wednesday following news from the administration of Governor Janet Mills that it is interested in pursuing full tax conformity.
“The governor’s announcement to pursue full tax conformity is welcome, however what’s missing from her statement is a serious examination of state spending. The governor is instructing departments to look for additional federal funding rather than identifying spending reductions in order to keep the budget balanced. Increasing state spending by $400 million in the next budget is reckless and irresponsible, and the governor needs to come to grips with the fact that her desire to spend our hard-earned tax dollars has its limits.
Furthermore, if Governor Mills now thinks that it is possible for state departments to look for newly-available federal funding, one must ask why she didn’t pursue this option before making public her intention to not fully conform with federal tax law. Why did she choose to pay for her spending extravagance by punishing small business in Maine, rather than explore this supposedly available federal funding before the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee met earlier this week?”
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Maine Policy Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that conducts detailed and timely research to educate the public, the media, and lawmakers about public policy solutions that advance economic freedom and individual liberty in Maine. Learn more about our work at www.mainepolicy.org.