Last week, the Legislature passed the state’s two year budget with bipartisan support. While no budget funds everything, I am confident that this budget addresses concerns about school funding, health care coverage, property tax relief and our most pressing needs. This budget was constructed within the state’s financial means, and I’m happy to report that there was money left over to put into the “Rainy Day” fund.
In education funding, we allocated an additional $111 million for K-12 public education to support our teachers and students. We’ve also invested $18 million into the School Revolving Renovation Fund, which supports schools in need of repair.
I am most excited to share the property tax relief included in this budget. When I knocked on doors last year, the biggest take away was that property taxes continue to rise and more needs to be done in Augusta to help our seniors and working families. This budget increases revenue sharing to 3% in 2020 and 3.75% in 2021. This means there will be more funds for municipalities to provide services to their communities without needing to rely on raising property taxes or cutting certain services to make ends meet.
This budget also increases the Homestead Exemption by $5,000, and municipalities will now be reimbursed for 70% of the revenue they lose through the exemption. This helps our property taxpayers and ensures towns are not burdened by an increased loss of revenue.
I’m glad to report we put $125 million towards MaineCare expansion that will be matched by $700 million in federal funds. As I said in my last column, nearly 20,000 people were able to enroll into the MaineCare program between January and the beginning of May. Many of our neighbors are now receiving the care they need that was previously out of reach.
These and other portions of the budget came together in a bipartisan way, and I want to thank my colleagues on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for their hard work. This is a budget I was proud to vote for.
On a local note, I am pleased to announce that the MaineDOT will begin the reconstruction of Main Street this summer – a project our community has been waiting for for many years. For a number of reasons, the project was delayed several years; however, several weeks ago, I met with the DOT Commissioner and town officials to finalize plans for the project to begin this summer. This project will involve improvements to traffic signals, drainage, water mains, and safety.
The project will begin soon and will be completed around August 1, 2020. The reconstruction will begin where Route 25 intersects with Cressey Road in Gorham and extends east for approximately five miles, ending at the southeasternmost intersection of Route 25 and Conant Street in Westbrook. Two-way traffic will be maintained during daytime hours, but there will be one-way, alternating traffic during some night work. This is one of the most significant projects undertaken in Gorham in many years, and the end result will be a much better Main Street.
As the legislative session comes to a close, I want to remind residents that our legislative office remains active year-round. If you are having difficulty navigating state agencies, have questions about policymaking or just want to voice your concerns, please be in touch. I also send out periodic e-mail updates throughout the year. If you would like to receive these updates, let me know by e-mailing me.
Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, is serving his fourth term in the Maine House. He is House Chair of the Transportation Committee and represents parts of both Gorham and Scarborough.
(207) 939-8482 | (800) 423-2900 | andrew.mclean@legislature.maine.gov