|
Welcome to Bowdoinham Dems
For more than 200 years, the Democratic Party has represented the interests of working families, fighting for equal opportunities and justice for all Americans.
Today, Democrats in Bowdoinham continue this fight on a local, state and national level. We invite you to use this site to continue this work. Help us preserve and forward our American values.
"Largest Tax Shift Ever" on the Way, but Limited 2010 Refunds Available Now
By Rep. Seth Berry
Concerned about rising property taxes or rent? If so, I have some bad news and some good news for you.
The bad news: tax shifts in the new state budget will likely lead to major property tax increases in the coming years. The good news: you may be due a refund on your 2010 property taxes today.
Passed in late June, the new state budget cuts over $110 million in funds slotted for property tax reductions. This is a cut of over 30% compared with most previous years. Potentially adding to the property tax increase, the two school systems I represent (R.S.U. 2 and M.S.A.D. 75) each lose over $1 million this year from combined state and federal funding.
Money saved by this shift is used to reduce income taxes for some Mainers. The big tax "winners" include nonresidents, some corporations, and 550 estates worth over $l million apiece. Those making $360,000 per year, Maine's wealthiest 1% will receive an average annual benefit of $3,000 apiece. Minimum-wage earners, by comparison, will receive $9 apiece.
Not all of the budget's tax changes are paid for through property tax increases. In fact, most changes are not paid for at all. By starting when the two-year budget is almost over, they simply bypass Maine’s balanced budget requirement.
Billing $400 million to future legislatures and over $110 million to local governments, this budget represents the largest tax shift in Maine history.
Seeking a better path, I did present a budget amendment to avoid these unwise shifts and unpaid bills. According to analyses done by Maine Revenue Services, my approach would have reduced income taxes for at least 16,000 more Maine families and businesses, cost less than half as much, and avoided increases to property taxes. Even though it helped far more Mainers at far less cost, my compromise tax proposal was voted down.
I regret that my supportive colleagues and I were in the minority, and could not turn the shifting tide. I will keep working for positive alternatives that benefit more Mainers and create more jobs.
One small piece of good news is that you may be owed a refund on your 2010 taxes.
While reduced, the Property Tax and Rent Refund has not been completely and the one-page application is easy. On August 1st, refunds of up to $1600 became available for taxes or rent paid in 2010. Many hard-working Bowdoinham families, deserving seniors and others who apply will receive a partial refund of taxes and/or rent paid on their primary residence.
To qualify, your 2010 adjusted household income must be less than $64,950 or less ($86,600 for those with spouse or dependents). In addition, your 2010 property tax must have been more than 4% (or rent more than 20%) of your 2010 household income. Low-income seniors do not need to meet this requirement.
To apply, visit http://maine.gov/revenue/taxrelief or call 626-8475.
In another small piece of good news for towns, my colleagues and I were able to defeat L.D. 79, a partisan proposal to cut funding to repair local roads by 5 percent. Like the state budget, this bill would only have shifted the burden to potholes in both our local roads and our bank accounts.
Maine will not prosper by asking even more of local, middle-class taxpayers and working families who are already struggling. Targeted investments and a balanced tax code are crucial for Maine to create jobs and compete globally.
Research shows that while benefits to the extremely wealthy tend to boost multinational investment portfolios, benefits to the heavily burdened middle class tend to be spent locally. Money that stays longer in the local economy is spent two or three times over, lifting more boats and creating more local jobs.
As a Bowdoinham parent and former selectperson, as well as your Representative and the ranking minority member of the Legislature Taxation Committee, I intend to keep striving for positive long-term changes that are more morally and economically sound.
Please do consider applying for the Property Tax and Rent Refund today, and as always, I thank you for the honor of representing you in the State House. Please call me anytime at 522-1609, or email me at seth@sethberry.org. And last but not least, I hope to see you at the Gazebo or on the Bay this summer!
Does Gov. LePage not want you to read the above article?
At the August 23rd Bowdoinham Selectboard meeting, one Selectperson - who happens to be Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor - objected to this piece running in the Bowdoinham News. At his request, the Board is now drafting a policy to prevent articles like this from running in the future. The facts from the article come entirely from these nonpartisan sources: Maine Revenue Services, the Maine Municipal Association, the Maine Department of Education, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Chief Economist at Moody's Analytics. Read it for yourself. lf the Selectboard chooses at their next meeting to censor future facts about our future property taxes from nonpartisan sources like these, whose "facts" WILL they accept?
- The Bowdoinham Democrats
Visit Sagadahoc County Dems Site for More Information
Sign Up Now
The Sagadahoc Democratic Committee needs volunteers to staff information tables, plan parades, write for their website (SagadahocDems.org) and organize events. Many jobs can be done from home, others will get you out and about to meet and work with people who share your interests and your concerns. Organizing for America is looking for local hosts in every town in Maine to sponsor House Parties and community events to spread the work about Democratic accomplishments and support the Presidential programs to move America forward. Please sign up below to volunteer today. Thank you for everything you do.
|
|
|
|
|