MECEP Statement on Gov. LePage’s Proposed Budget

 
 

Augusta, Maine (Friday, January 9, 2015) The Maine Center for Economic Policy (MECEP) issued the following statement from executive director Garrett Martin concerning Gov. Paul LePage’s budget proposal announced today:

“The state budget is a reflection of the choices we make together to strengthen our communities, support vulnerable residents, and build a vibrant economy. Governor LePage’s two-year state budget proposal released today reflects the wrong choices. Prioritizing tax cuts for the top 1% and corporations is a failed prescription for growing Maine’s economy.

“The tax cuts contained in the governor’s budget proposal will benefit the wealthy and corporations while raising sales and property taxes for the rest of us. They will also trigger harmful cuts in health care for children, the elderly, and the disabled, delay essential repairs to our crumbling roads and bridges, and undercut a good education for our kids.

“The experience of other states that have followed a path that prioritizes tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations shows that this is an ineffective, fiscally irresponsible strategy for growing the economy. Those states have not realized significant economic benefits but have cut programs families and businesses value, increased property and sales taxes, and had their credit ratings downgraded.

“Instead of trying to cut our way to prosperity by giving huge tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, we should be investing in the sturdy foundation of a strong economy – a healthy and educated work force, good roads and other public services, and other needed investments in people and infrastructure that are proven effective at helping businesses and workers thrive. That is the right choice for Maine. We look forward to working with legislators in the coming months to ensure that the final budget they approve reflects these priorities.”

MECEP will host its 2015 state tax and budget conference with registration at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 13, 2015 at Maple Hill Farm Conference Center in Hallowell. The conference will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Michael Leachman, director of state fiscal policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. A $50 registration fee includes lunch. To register, click here.

 
About the Maine Center for Economic Policy

The Maine Center for Economic Policy advances public policies that help Maine people prosper in a strong, fair and sustainable economy. We advance this mission through high-quality research, analysis, citizen education, and coalition building. MECEP is an independent, nonpartisan organization.

To learn more about what we do, visit www.mecep.org.

 
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