Lepage's new budget lowers taxes, ... (2014, crimes, employment)

[Submariner]

Governor LePage Signs Budget with Largest Tax Cut in
Maine History, Pension Reform, Spending Realignments and a Major Down Payment on Welfare Reform

Governor LePage Signs Budget

Is this possible?

"Monday afternoon .... Governor Paul LePage put his signature on the biennial budget that reduces taxes for Mainers and businesses, reforms the State pension system and makes changes to welfare programs. two-year budget includes tax reform which provides $150 million in tax relief – including new tax code changes which conform to federal guidelines and a reduction in Maine's top income tax rate from 8.5 percent to 7.95 percent that is expected eliminate tax payments for 70,000 low-income Mainers. This represents the largest tax cut in Maine history."

Welfare reform is also a part of the 2012-2013 budget which emphasizes Maine will no longer be considered a welfare destination state. A new 5 year limit on welfare benefits which aligns Maine with other states, and conforms to federal law will go into effect. The limit does allow for certain exemptions for hardship cases – including those involving the elderly and disabled.

Drug testing will also be implemented for welfare recipients convicted of drug crimes and those who violate welfare rules will face stricter sanctions.

Dirigo Health will be phased out with an end date of January 1, 2014 and legal noncitizens will no longer be eligible for MaineCare benefits as of July 1, 2011.

House Speaker Robert Nutting offered, “I am delighted that Governor Paul LePage today signed the biennial budget. This plan mirrors the reforms the Governor called for shortly after taking office. Among the highlights are $150 million in tax cuts, the largest in Maine history, and pension reform that will save taxpayers billions in the years to come. This budget also includes no cuts to education or programs that protect Maine’s most vulnerable. It’s also free of gimmicks like state shutdown days.”

“It is a validation of the outstanding work done by the Appropriations Committee and of the decision by Republican legislative leaders to pursue a bipartisan two-thirds budget,” said Senate President Kevin Raye. “By affording the minority party the respect of inclusion in the budget process we were able to work through our differences and secure a thoughtful budget that honors the core principles advanced by Governor LePage,” Raye added.

[flycessna]

Well I guess I am happy with most of that... Can't say I agree with what he did to the pension plan but thats another debate...

[dmyankee]

Wayyyyyyyyy coooooool!

[Maineah]

A start in the RIGHT direction in my opinion.......

[maineguy8888]

Love this guy.........he even got the wimpy Legislature to get their heads out of their you-know-what (which is quite the feat!)

[221B]

…can you guys clone this man and please send him to California, asap!

[mainegrl2011]

I agree with most of it also....not so sure about the pension plan....the budget does seem to be a step in the right direction.

People sometimes have to pass a drug test as a condition of employment and random drug tests once employed....seems logical, practical, and frugal to me for welfare recipients to be subject to random drug tests. Why wait until they are convicted/arrested.

What about Mainecare benefits for illegal noncitizens....

From what I've heard, California desperately needs a clone of him.

[Nor'Eastah]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

From what I've heard, California desperately needs a clone of him.

Rhode Island desperately needs a clone of him, too.

Can we get him first? We're closer!

[Zarathu]

Lets remember that the Governor didn't do this by himself. Unlike many states, the legislature was willing to actually work in a bi-partisan way to come together on a plan they sent to The-Leaf(Le means "the"; page means "leaf").

[Brave Stranger]

He's the best governor by far in New England.