It is March and the Maine House of Representatives has been busy sending bills to the various 13 committees of the Legislature. We have not voted on too many issues as actual roll call votes, so pretty much the new legislation has been either passed or not under the hammer.
There have been threats of veto by Gov. Paul LePage if the liquor bill was not passed to pay back the hospital debt, but that was not the case, and there have been no bills vetoed to date. Actually, there has been some compromise between the leadership of both parties, which has been refreshing.
The looming issue that seems to be on the forefront is the biennial budget. For Old Orchard Beach, the proposed biennial budget will affect us with the loss of revenue sharing and also the impact on education funding. The press seems to be having a heyday with the proposals that the governor has submitted to the Legislature, but as with all budgets, each and every line will be vetted by each committee of jurisdiction and then again run through the appropriations committee for further dissection.
At all points in the process, each and every citizen of Maine has the right to speak to the legislators at the public hearings, through email, calls or visits. The process is time consuming, but in the end, Maine will have a two-year budget that will reflect the best interests of Maine at this time.
Revenue is going to be scarce until the economy can rebound, and for our community, that means we need to find innovative ways to help our local property tax burden. That’s where my bill, LD 427, “An Act to Allow for Local Revenue Enhancement,” comes in.
This bill has yet to be heard in the taxation committee, and I am a little happy about that fact. I have been doing my research and talking with some of my fellow legislators to show them how this optional sales tax, which is seasonal and must be voted on by each municipality, can help so many communities in Maine.
I have to admit, it is not an easy task working on this bill. Increasing taxes is not something anyone takes lightly, but the optional aspect with local control is very tempting. Purchasing a bag of chips at a local store is discretionary spending, which is not the case with property taxes, where if you don’t pay your taxes you may lose your home.
I am learning the ropes and doing my homework for Old Orchard Beach. My votes, whether in committee or on the floor, always have the best interest of the people of Old Orchard Beach in mind. As the 1,700 or so bills roll through the session and we are asked to vote on them, I urge my community to be aware of the impact of new legislation on all of us. I continue to need the guidance of my neighbors and friends who have trusted me to represent our great community in Augusta.
— Rep. Sharri MacDonald, R-Old Orchard Beach, is serving her first term in the Maine House representing Old Orchard Beach. Her column will normally appear on the fourth Monday of the month.
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