Tough tax issues, gaming expansions stymie lawmakers
Nearing the start of the second session of Maine's 126th Legislature, news from Augusta has been defined more by what hasn't happened than what has.
Brakes on breaks
Lawmakers seeking to root out $40 million in tax exemptions to stave off cuts to state revenue sharing with municipalities ended their work uncertain about how close they'd come to their goal. Suggestions the group drafted for the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee included new caps on business tax credit programs like the Opportunity Maine tax credit, the retail portion of the Business Equipment Tax Exemption, the Pine Tree Development Zone credit and the historic preservation tax credit. Finding consensus on a larger array of tax cut proposals was difficult for the committee, the Portland Press Herald reported. The tax break committee's suggestions will now head to the appropriations committee for consideration during a meeting Dec. 12.
Un gran casino
State Sen. John Patrick of Rumford pulled the plug on a group formed to study the potential impact of expanding gambling in Maine after concluding industry advocates had derailed the group's mission. In a letter to the Sun Journal, Patrick wrote the committee did not meet his expectations for reviewing data, expert testimony and research about the gaming industry and instead crafted a recommendation that the state allow four more entities to apply for casino licenses. Patrick said the study of expanded gaming will be continued by the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, which oversees gaming, when the Legislature is back in session in January.
Work permits
Gov. Paul LePage plans to resurrect an effort to make it easier for teens to get work permits for certain jobs, particularly during the summer months. A similar bill failed in the Legislature earlier this year. The bill, LD 2556, has support from the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Retailers Association, who argue the ability for students to apply directly to the Department of Labor for work permits during summer months would help small seasonal businesses. The bill would also allow children younger than 16 to work in bowling alleys and movie theaters, which existing state law does not allow.
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