Kirsten Figueroa

Thousands of state workers will receive the payments, beginning next month. A third-party study of the state's pay classification system, however, won't be finished until the end of next year.

State revenue is projected to remain relatively flat through the next couple of fiscal years, after a period of strong growth that peaked in FY 2022.

Kirsten Figueroa, commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, sent a letter to the IRS asking it to stand by its original guidance and not federally tax the $450 relief payments.

Officials project state revenues will surpass original forecasts through the end of the 2025 fiscal year. Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature will have to decide how to make use of the extra money.

The online portal, which is being rolled out in phases, aims to make it easier to pay, file and manage state taxes.

The Maine Tax Portal will replace Maine Revenue Services' current online services on May 31. The agency has opened the new portal to more than 140,000 business taxpayers for filing and payment of various business taxes.

The first $450 checks were mailed out to help Mainers stay warm, safe and secure this winter amid soaring energy costs.

John Hudak, considered a leading expert on state, national and international cannabis policy, will lead Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy starting Dec. 30.