Bangor Lawmaker Pushes to Slash Property Taxes for Maine Seniors!
Politics
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Big, fat property tax bills are driving Mainers up the wall! In towns across the state, residents are feeling the pinch. But fear not—help is on the way as a Bangor lawmaker steps up to the plate with a bold plan to cap tax hikes for our beloved seniors.
Enter Sen. Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, who’s taken the initiative by introducing a proposed constitutional amendment just in time for next year’s legislative showdown. His game plan? A 2% annual cap on property tax assessment increases for residents aged 65 and older, specifically targeting primary residences.
This proposal tackles one of Maine’s hottest issues—the soaring cost of housing. As property values skyrocket and towns scramble to catch up on long-overdue revaluations, many older Mainers on fixed incomes are feeling the heat, and renters aren’t escaping unscathed either.
Senator Baldacci, whose city is currently revaluing around 11,000 properties for the first time in 37 years, acknowledges that gaining traction for his proposal may take some time. He aims to pair the cap with boosts in revenue sharing and the state’s homestead exemption, which currently offers a tax reduction of up to $25,000.
“We need a direct way to support our older Mainers,” Baldacci stated. “My hope is to drive this initiative forward in a bipartisan spirit.”
With Democrats holding the reins of the State House and governor’s office since 2018, the recent election results have narrowed their majorities, granting Republicans more influence in negotiations and critical votes on key initiatives.
Rep. Jack Ducharme, R-Madison, who leads the Legislature’s budget committee, lauded Baldacci’s proposal as “a solid starting point” for alleviating the tax burden on Mainers.
However, Ducharme expressed concerns about managing state spending, a vital issue that could affect Baldacci’s proposal’s momentum, especially after Democrats passed recent state budgets without any Republican backing.
“Controlling property taxes is important, but if the funds we need from the state aren’t available due to other priorities, it’s a futile effort,” Ducharme cautioned.
The state’s Revenue Forecasting Committee recently revealed a projected $187 million spending gap for the upcoming fiscal year, significantly lower than previous estimates. In response, Democratic Governor Janet Mills plans to introduce a “lean budget” for the state next year.
Last year, a popular program allowing seniors to freeze their property taxes at prior levels faced repeal due to its rising costs and criticisms from municipalities about its structure.
Instead, lawmakers replaced it with an enhanced property tax credit, increasing from $1,500 to $2,000, while also expanding income and asset limits for a loan program that helps older or permanently disabled Mainers cover their property taxes.
As lawmakers prepare to reconvene in Augusta, the debate is far from over. The Maine Municipal Association expressed optimism about property tax relief being a priority for state officials. “We’re eager to see proposals that are well-researched and equitably distribute the burden of local government funding,” spokesperson Kate Dufour remarked.
“We agree with Baldacci’s insight that more discussions are essential, and we are ready to engage in these conversations,” Dufour added.
