When elected officials run for office, no matter what party we’re enrolled in, we all make a commitment to do a job. That’s the most basic reason we ask our neighbors to send us to Augusta. It’s a promise that we shouldn’t take lightly.
You gave us the honor of working in the people’s house and voting on issues that have a profound impact on your lives. That’s why I’m proud to vote with hardworking Maine families in Gorham and across the state, whether it’s about school funding, tax relief, health care, wage disparity or bonds. We asked for this job, and we absolutely shouldn’t quit and go home before it’s done.
When we left the State House in the early morning hours of April 19, three quarters of the Legislature had agreed to keep working on the critical issues that we still hadn’t reached an agreement on, but 65 House Republicans voted to give up instead.
I have spoken with some of you about the bills that are still stuck on the table and I know how important they are to families here and around the state.
I am very concerned that a bipartisan bill to provide additional education funding is in limbo while Gorham and other schools around the state are trying to craft their budgets. Our next town budget is going to require a 10.5 percent tax increase, primarily to fund our schools. The good news is that Gorham is growing, but we’re feeling the pain that goes along with it. This new state funding would provide some relief on that front.
The legislative shutdown also put a halt to negotiations over how Maine should react to last year’s big changes in the federal tax code. I joined my Democratic colleagues on the Taxation Committee to propose a package that puts working families first. We accepted conformity on increasing the Earned Income Tax Credit and creating a paid family leave credit. We rejected elements of tax conformity that could put Maine taxpayers on the hook for economic investments in other states. Our plan also included an expansion of the Property Tax Fairness Credit to help more Maine homeowners. I hope that we can get back to work and negotiate a compromise that champions these priorities.
We also have yet to fund raises for direct care workers. When we passed the biennial budget last year, we promised that we would fund the second year of rate increases this session. If we fail to act, the workers who provide essential care for disabled and elderly Mainers would continue to earn minimum wage for the vital work they do to support our most vulnerable neighbors.
We also have multiple bonds that are still on the table. Among several other proposals, there is a transportation bond that would provide funding for essential construction projects across the state. There is another bond proposal that would establish a repayment assistance program for working Mainers struggling to pay back their student loans.
These are important priorities that I will continue to fight for this year and in the future. By the time you read this, the Legislature will have met to consider the governor’s latest vetoes on May 2, and we will have had another chance to extend session and continue our work. I hope that we are back at the table by now. The people of Maine deserve a government that works for them, not broken promises from those who voted to quit and go home.
As always, please feel free to call or e-mail me if you have any questions or concerns.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry is serving her first term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is a chef and small business owner with more than 25 years of experience in the food service industry. She serves on the Taxation Committee.
(207) 712-9735 | (800) 423-2900 | maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov