The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • The Blog
  • About
    • Contact
  • Investigations
    • Data
  • Donate
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • ‘Did Jesus Pack Heat?’ – Maine Community College Professor Attacks, Discriminates Against Christian Conservative Student for Views on Gun Control
  • Ryan Fecteau Splutters Through End-of-Session Interview on Maine’s Budget and Education, Say Augusta Has ‘Largely’ Kept Mills’ 2018 No Tax Hike Pledge
  • Police Arrest 68-Year-Old Man for Fatal Hit-and-Run of Bicyclist in Scarborough
  • Democrat Tax Hikes Mean More Madness for Maine
  • Greene Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges After Being Found with Firearm, Drugs in Lewiston
  • Kicking the Can Down the Road: Mills Pushes Decision on Sanctuary State Bill to Next Session
  • ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Could Shutter Hundreds Of Planned Parenthood Clinics
  • How Plea Bargains Cheat Justice
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Wednesday, July 2
  • News
  • Commentary
  • The Blog
  • About
    • Contact
  • Investigations
    • Data
  • Donate
The Maine Wire
Home » News » Commentary » Democrats confirm plan to approve majority budget by April 1
Commentary

Democrats confirm plan to approve majority budget by April 1

Jacob PosikBy Jacob PosikMarch 24, 2021Updated:October 7, 2021No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

The Maine Legislature will convene in person on Tuesday to approve the state’s next biennial budget, likely along party lines. The legislature has not passed a majority budget since 2005.

Democrats announced the “Back-to-Basics” budget earlier this week that would spend $8.34 billion over the biennium, slightly less than Governor Janet Mills’ original budget plan. Despite describing their budget as a “no-frills” bare bones proposal, it would increase government spending by roughly $400 million. This does not include any future funding the state will receive and spend as a result of the most recent federal stimulus package.

The Democrats’ budget is currently a spreadsheet, not a formal budget document, and would increase taxes on Mainers who purchase digital streaming subscriptions by almost $10 million. They will use an existing concept draft, Rep. Teresa Pierce’s LD 715, as the bill to advance their plan through the legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. The bill is scheduled for a work session on Thursday at 10 a.m.

Here is the so-called "Back to Basics" budget, which includes a $10 million tax increase on digital streaming services. #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/H7jAfNBRyK

— Maine Policy Institute (@MainePolicy) March 24, 2021

Republicans in the legislature held a press conference on Wednesday criticizing the Democrats’ plan. They called their budget incomplete and raised concerns about what amount of future spending would be piled onto the $8.34 billion proposal.

Sen. Jeff Timberlake noted the plan includes a tax increase and is missing provisions both parties would endorse, including pandemic response measures supported by the governor, according to the Portland Press Herald.

“With all the projected revenues coming into the state, the last thing we need is a tax increase,” Timberlake said.

To pass a biennial budget on a majority vote, Democrats must approve their plan by April 1. Laws passed by the legislature take effect 90 days after adjournment. By passing their budget and adjourning, Democrats can ensure a biennial budget is in place by the start of the new fiscal year on July 1 without collaborating with their colleagues on spending issues.

Democrats told the Bangor Daily News on Wednesday that they would move to bring members back for a special session “immediately” following adjournment. There are only two ways a special session can be called in Maine – with support from a majority of both caucuses or by the governor. IF Republicans do not agree to reconvene for a special session, Governor Mills would have to call one.

At least one independent will join his Republican colleagues in opposition to the majority budget plan. Rep. Jeff Evangelos told the BDN he was “disgusted” by the upcoming budget vote and will not support it.

“Democrats should think long and hard about the consequences of this abuse of power,” he said.

Biennial Budget budget Commentary Featured government spending governor janet mills Maine Democrats Maine Republicans majority budget Opinion tax increase Taxes
Previous ArticleAre Maine Democrats moving ahead with a majority budget?
Next Article Majority budget showdown set for Tuesday in Augusta
Jacob Posik

Jacob Posik, of Turner, is the director of legislative affairs at Maine Policy Institute. He formerly served as policy analyst and communications director at Maine Policy, as well as editor of the Maine Wire. Posik can be reached at jposik@mainepolicy.org.

Subscribe to Substack

Related Posts

Democrat Tax Hikes Mean More Madness for Maine

July 2, 2025

How Plea Bargains Cheat Justice

July 2, 2025

Newly Surfaced DOJ Docs Discredit Janet Mills’ Claims About Cocaine Investigation

June 30, 2025

Leave A Reply

Subscribe to Substack
Recent News

‘Did Jesus Pack Heat?’ – Maine Community College Professor Attacks, Discriminates Against Christian Conservative Student for Views on Gun Control

July 2, 2025

Ryan Fecteau Splutters Through End-of-Session Interview on Maine’s Budget and Education, Say Augusta Has ‘Largely’ Kept Mills’ 2018 No Tax Hike Pledge

July 2, 2025

Police Arrest 68-Year-Old Man for Fatal Hit-and-Run of Bicyclist in Scarborough

July 2, 2025

Greene Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges After Being Found with Firearm, Drugs in Lewiston

July 2, 2025

Kicking the Can Down the Road: Mills Pushes Decision on Sanctuary State Bill to Next Session

July 2, 2025
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.