Mainers will receive new relief checks within the approved budget
PEOPLE TO GET HELP.. AS THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSES CONTINUES TO RISE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. NEW BACKUP CHECKS MAY BEGIN TO BE SENT TO MAINERS.. GOVERNOR MILLS WILL SIGN THE SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET INTO LAW THIS AFTERNOON. HE WAS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE.. THE BUDGET INCLUDES 850 DOLLAR CHECKS FOR MORE THAN 850 THOUSAND MAINERS.. IT ALSO INCLUDES: TAX RELI. EF INVESTS IN WORKFOE RC TRAINING.. INCLUDING FOR DAYCARE WORK
Governor Mills to sign supplementary budget, including new relief checks
The supplementary budget received overwhelming support in both houses of the Maine Legislative Assembly
Governor Janet Mills said she would sign the supplementary budget Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony at State House. The Maine Legislature gave overwhelming support for the budget on Tuesday, after lawmakers reached agreement on the spending plan on Friday. The House passed it by a vote of 119 to 16 and the Senate passed it by a vote of 32 to 2. offers Maine families, communities, small businesses and retirees. It responds to the crises Maine farmers and families face today, from PFAS and inflation to sky-high electricity rates, while training the next generation of workers and investing in our future,” said Senate Speaker Troy Jackson.” This Supplementary Budget agreement is the kind of work the people of Maine expect from their leaders, and this budget will fund direct relief and meaningful action. This will help Maine recruit and retain our child care staff and increase housing supply to meet the overwhelming demand in our state,” said House Speaker Ryan Fecteau. checks The budget includes relief checks of $850 to more than 857,000 Mainers. To get the check, you must be a full-time resident of the state and file a 2021 Maine tax return by October 31, 2022. Mainers will be eligible if they: Win up to $100,000 if you are single or if you are married and deposit separately; Earn up to $150,000 if you file as head of household; or Win up to $200,000 for couples filing jointly. pensions Funds Maine veterans’ homes in Caribou and Machias to keep them open to get the care they need close to home. Supports cost-of-living adjustments and rate increases to support veterans’ salaries. at least 125% for direct care workers in long-term care Investing $25 million in Maine hospitals to keep these facilities open Reduced the wait list for home and community support services for Elderly Mainers and Other Adults. The maximum benefit is $1,000 per year for those under 65 and $1,500 for those over 65. It also increases the earned income tax credit to help 100,000 Maine families. is not possible, monitor the health and support new research and removal. Takes steps to help private laboratories build capacity for testing PFAS. Provides funds to reduce, clean up and mitigate threats or hazards posed by PFAS. Industry weather threats from the federal government. Workforce Training and Education Establishes the Rainy Day Education Fund to ensure the state continues to meet its obligation to fund K-12 public education at 55%, as requested by the voters in 2004. Invests in vocational and technical education to ensure programs have the materials and equipment needed to train students so they can fill gaps in the world rkforce, supports programs of jobs for Maine graduates (JMG) in middle and high schools. Continue funding for Universal School Lunches to ensure Maine students can continue to access healthy school lunches at no cost. Higher Education Supplemental Budget provides up to two years of free community college for all students in the graduating high school classes of 2020-2023 who enroll full-time at a Maine community college. The supplemental budget freezes tuition for Maine residents pursuing a four-year degree so they can complete their program and enter the workforce. The supplementary budget increases the maximum annual individual benefit from $2,000 to $2,500, up to a lifetime benefit of $25,000. study to determine the feasibility of paid family medical leave. Provides one-time funding to support the pu research for a more efficient and reliable children’s lead case management system for the lead poisoning prevention program. Rebuilt the Maine Oral Health Care Program so that children can access dental care during elementary school, making Maine eligible for federal matching funds.Access to HousingBudget funds emergency housing assistance and creates the Housing Opportunity Fund to provide support to cities in expanding the supply of housing. The deal also keeps the Fiscal Stabilization Fund, otherwise known as the Rainy Day Fund, at $492 million, the highest in Maine history.
Governor Janet Mills said she would sign the supplementary budget Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony at State House.
Maine’s legislature gave overwhelming support for the budget on Tuesday, after lawmakers reached agreement on the spending plan on Friday. The House passed it 119 to 16 and the Senate passed it 32 to 2.
“This supplementary budget represents the best of the Maine Legislative Assembly – Democrats, Republicans and Independents coming together around a smart, common sense proposal that benefits Maine families, communities, small businesses and retirees. It responds to the crises Maine farmers and families face today, from PFAS and inflation to sky-high electricity rates, while training the next generation of workers and investing in our future,” said Senate President Troy Jackson.
“This Supplementary Budget Agreement is the kind of work the people of Maine want from their leaders and this budget will fund direct relief and meaningful action. It will help Maine recruit and retain our child care and to increase the supply of housing to meet the overwhelming demand in our state,” said House Speaker Ryan Fecteau.
Supplementary Estimates Highlights, According to the Office of Speakers of the Maine Legislative Assembly
Relief checks
The budget includes relief checks of $850 to more than 857,000 Mainers. To get the check, you must be a full-time resident of the state and file a 2021 Maine tax return by October 31, 2022. Mainers will be eligible if they: Earn up to $100,000 they are single or if they are married and filed separately; earn up to $150,000 if you file as head of household; or win up to $200,000 for couples filing jointly.
Support for older Mainers
- Ongoing income tax relief for retired Mainers
- Fixes to issues with public employee pensions
- Funds Maine Veterans Homes in Caribou and Machias to keep them open
- Invests in retirement homes, residential care facilities and other providers so people in need of long-term care can get the care they need close to home.
- Support cost of living adjustments and rate increases to support wages by at least 125% for direct care workers in long-term care.
- Investing $25 million in Maine hospitals to keep these facilities open.
- Reduces the wait list for home and community support services for older Mainers and other adults.
Tax relief
The supplementary budget permanently expands the Property Tax Equity Credit to provide eligible working families and Mainer seniors with property or rent tax relief. The maximum benefit is $1,000 per year for those under 65 and $1,500 for those over 65.
It also increases the earned income tax credit to help 100,000 Maine families.
Treat PFAS
- Establishes a trust to address PFAS contamination, including compensation to help relocate agricultural businesses when remediation is not possible, monitor health, and support new research and elimination.
- Takes steps to help private laboratories build capacity for testing PFAS.
- Provides funds to reduce, clean up and mitigate threats or hazards posed by PFAS.
Working waterfront
The supplementary budget provides funds to help Maine’s lobster industry deal with threats from the federal government.
Workforce training and education
- Establishes the Education Rainy Day Fund to ensure the state continues to meet its obligation to fund K-12 public education at 55%, as requested by voters in 2004.
- Invests in vocational and technical education to ensure programs have the materials and equipment needed to train students to fill workforce gaps,
- Supports Maine Graduate Jobs (JMG) programs in middle and high schools.
- Pursue funding for Universal School Lunches to ensure Maine students can continue to have free access to healthy school lunches.
Higher Education
- The supplemental budget provides up to two years of free community college for all students in the graduating high school classes of 2020 through 2023 who enroll full-time at a Maine community college.
- The supplemental budget freezes tuition for Maine residents pursuing a four-year degree so they can complete their program and enter the workforce.
- The supplementary budget increases the maximum annual individual benefit from $2,000 to $2,500, up to a lifetime benefit of $25,000.
Support for family and children
- Helps child care providers recruit and retain workers.
- Improves eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, otherwise known as CHIP.
- Funds an actuarial study to determine the feasibility of paid family medical leave.
- Provides one-time funding to support the purchase of a more efficient and reliable Child Lead Case Management System for the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
- Rebuilt Maine’s oral health care program so children can access dental care during elementary school, making Maine eligible for federal matching funds.
Access to housing
The budget funds emergency housing assistance and creates the Housing Opportunity Fund to provide support to cities in expanding housing supply.
The agreement also maintains the Fiscal Stabilization Fund, otherwise known as the Rainy Day Fund, at $492 million, the highest in Maine history.