Release: Statement on Governor Mills’ Supplemental Budget Change Package
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2024
Contact: Jacob Posik
Director of Legislative Affairs
Office: 207.321.2550
Maine Policy Statement on Governor Mills’
Supplemental Budget Change Package
The governor’s updated plan still provides no tax relief for struggling Mainers while establishing a new digital streaming tax and raiding the rainy day fund.
PORTLAND, Maine – Maine Policy Institute CEO Matthew Gagnon issued the following statement in response to the release of Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget change package:
“While the governor attempts to label her supplemental budget as fiscal restraint and responsibility, Mainers deserve to know her recommendations are anything but. Despite many consecutive surpluses, the governor’s plan provides no tax relief for Maine families and actually increases their tax burden through the creation of a digital streaming tax.
“Considering the change package allocates an additional $15 million to support the Disaster Recovery Fund, legislative Democrats must now answer whether they still intend to raid Maine’s Budget Stabilization Fund as the governor has proposed via LD 2225 to help businesses and communities struggling with recent storm damage.
“Finally, the change package incorporates the permitting of the controversial Sears Island offshore wind project that stands to jeopardize the future of Maine’s heritage lobster and fishing industries.
“If Governor Mills was serious about fiscal restraint and responsibility, she would be returning this excess revenue to the people of Maine. Instead, she is piling on more short-sighted, unnecessary spending while simultaneously raiding the state’s savings account and increasing taxes on hardworking Mainers.”
###
Maine Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to expand individual liberty and economic freedom in Maine. Learn more about our work at www.mainepolicy.org.