Latest news with #BillyBobFaulkingham
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Legislators fail to override any of Gov. Mills vetoes, so far
The official swearing in ceremony for the 132nd Maine Legislature on Dec. 4, 2024. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) Legislators in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to sustain the five vetoes issued by Gov. Janet Mills so far this session, including a measure that would have prohibited the state from being able to seize tribal land for public use. Before taking up LD 958, House lawmakers debated whether the bill was 'a solution in search of a problem,' as the governor contended, or whether it is a 'fundamental matter regarding sovereign governments,' as Rep. Adam Lee (D-Augusta) put it. House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), who sponsored the bill, said he put in the bill 'so the state could not use eminent domain to take other people's property.' He added, 'The needs of society never make it okay to take other people's property.' Passamaquoddy Tribal Rep. Aaron Dana said that the concern expressed by some of his colleagues that the tribes would block the construction of power lines and highways was unfounded. 'The tribes are still going to allow that, because we need access to those same infrastructures,' he said. 'We just would like to protect and have a stronghold on what 1% of lands we have remaining here in what we call the state of Maine, which was traditionally all Wabanaki Nations' lands at one point.' Ultimately, the House voted 77-63, falling short of the two-thirds of support needed to override a veto. Vetoed legislation only needs to return to the chamber in which it originated, so members of the House also took up LD 1328, which sought to create culturally appropriate and trauma-informed housing recovery residences for underserved or underrepresented individuals. Without discussion, they voted 40-100 against overriding the veto of that bill. The Senate voted 18-14 to sustain Mills' veto of legislation (LD 588) that would have protected the right of farmworkers to discuss working conditions. Mills' veto of LD 1802, which would have created a statutory right to counsel at state expense for indigent defendants because there is a risk upon conviction that the accused may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, was also sustained in the Senate by a vote of 3-28. The Senate then voted 16-16 to override the governor's veto of legislation (LD 1731) that would require the state ferry service to consult with an advisory board on matters related to the service, budget, strategic planning and major operational decisions. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Revived efforts for Maine voters to elect constitutional officers founder
Voters cast their ballots at the Quimby School gymnasium in Bingham, Maine on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. (Photo by Michael G. Seamans/ Maine Morning Star) Renewed efforts by some lawmakers for the state to adopt a system where voters elect the state's constitutional officers again failed this year. Maine is an outlier in having the Legislature appoint constitutional officers and state auditors. Rather than giving that power to state legislators, most states popularly elect their treasurer, secretary of state and attorney general. States vary more on how they select auditors. For decades, some lawmakers have proposed changing the selection process, such as allowing the public to decide instead through a direct popular election, but such attempts have failed. The Maine House of Representatives and Senate killed all of the proposals to change the selection process this year. LD 455, sponsored by Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford), would have amended the constitution to require the popular election of the secretary of state, attorney general and state treasurer. Both chambers voted against it, so it died upon adjournment on Wednesday. LD 508, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook), sought to essentially do the same. The Senate indefinitely postponed it on June 11, killing the bill, on a motion from Bennett. Other bills, all sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), focused on switching to popular elections for specific positions. LD 150 proposed a constitutional amendment to allow for the popular election of the state treasurer. It also died after the Senate followed the House in rejecting it earlier this month. That's also the case for LD 147, which proposed a constitutional amendment to require the popular election of the secretary of state, and LD 149 that would do so for the attorney general. Bennett also offered an alternative election process for constitutional officers and the state auditor in LD 1193. Instead of a popular election, this bill would still have the Legislature elect these positions but with an open ballot system, under which a lawmaker's vote would be publicly available. However, LD 1193 remained tabled in the Senate upon adjournment. Since it was not one of the bills carried over into next year, the bill died when the Legislature adjourned on Wednesday. Sen. Richard Bradstreet (R-Kennebec) proposed in LD 1068 switching to popularly elect the state auditor, though not through a constitutional amendment. That bill also remained tabled in the Senate upon adjournment and died since it was not carried over. The state auditor is not a constitutional officer, however another bill, LD 1052, sought to make it one through a constitutional amendment. Sponsored by Rep. Suzanne Salisbury (D-Westbrook), the bill passed both chambers in initial votes, however failed enactment in the House, which was the crucial vote as constitutional amendments need to win the support of two-thirds of lawmakers for enactment. The bill was then placed on what's called the appropriations table because it required funding. Constitutional amendments ultimately have to be approved by voters even if they pass the Legislature, and therefore always have associated ballot costs. The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee, which manages the table, decided not to fund LD 1052 this year but it will be carried over into next year for consideration. (More on that here.) Though, if funded next year, this bill would still face a steep path to passage given the failed enactment in the House. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
New York Post
01-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Seniors could get a tax break in this state — at younger people's expense
Maine Republicans are pursuing a bill that would eliminate property taxes for longtime senior residents. The move could bring financial relief to retirees—but it also raises serious questions about who will cover the cost. The Pine Tree State ranks 17th in the nation for effective property tax rates, according to the Tax Foundation. It's a middling position on paper that can hit especially hard for seniors on fixed incomes. 'We have an aging population, and a lot of people on lower income in that age range, and it's just an incredibly unfair burden to put on them,' House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) told WGME. But property taxes are the lifeblood of local government, and if seniors are removed from the tax rolls entirely, younger Mainers could be left footing the bill. 6 Maine Republicans are pursuing a bill that would eliminate property taxes for longtime senior residents, which could bring relief for those with fixed incomes. Getty Images What's in the proposal? LD 1541 would eliminate property taxes for Maine residents aged 65 and older who have lived in the state for 10 or more consecutive years. The state government would then be responsible for reimbursing local governments for the lost revenue. It's just one of several proposals across the country this year to abolish property taxes, which are pinching homeowners of all ages as home values remain elevated and push up tax bills, but it's unique in its focus on seniors. 6 The proposal would eliminate property taxes for Maine residents aged 65 and older who have lived in the state for 10 or more consecutive years. Universal Images Group via Getty Images For context, the median home in Maine cost just $249,000 in January 2020. Today, it's nearly doubled, to $462,500. That's pushed the state's median annual property tax bill to $4,223, according to data. For younger homeowners, that jump in equity can be a financial asset. But for retirees, the resulting spike in property taxes can become a serious burden. The Pine Tree State isn't alone in this. Nationally, tax burdens are driving older Americans to leave high-tax states in search of more affordable places to age in place. Maine's proposal could help stop that outmigration by allowing longtime residents to stay in their homes. But the bill's financial impact on the rest of the state remains a major question mark. 6 While the plan could help keep longtime residents in Maine, it raises concerns over who will cover the costs. Getty Images/iStockphoto LD 1541 does not yet include a fiscal note—an official estimate of what it would cost—and Faulkingham has acknowledged that he doesn't yet have a firm projection. Still, past efforts and Maine's demographics suggest the cost could be staggering. A similar, doomed program This isn't the first time Maine has tried to provide property tax relief to seniors in the state. A 2022 program froze qualifying seniors' property tax bills so they wouldn't increase year to year as home prices also rose. 6 A 2022 program froze qualifying seniors' property tax bills so they wouldn't increase year to year as home prices also rose, and was later repealed 11 months after enactment due to its cost. Getty Images/iStockphoto That initiative cost the state $26 million and was repealed just 11 months after enactment due to its cost. In addition to the price tag, critics of the freeze also pointed to loopholes that made it possible for well-off homeowners to apply the homestead exemption to their luxury homes. It's unclear if similar workarounds would be possible in LD 1541. Keep in mind, the 2020 initiative simply froze effective rates—meaning that seniors were still responsible for paying some property taxes. The new proposal would eliminate them entirely, threatening a shortfall that could have severe consequences for the rest of the state. 6 The new proposal would eliminate property taxes for seniors entirely, impacting the rest of the state. The Washington Post via Getty Images Who will pay the difference? Part of the difficulty in Maine might be related to the simple fact that it's home to so many seniors. When measured by median age, Maine is the oldest state in the nation, and nearly a quarter of its population is over the age of 65, according to a 2024 report by the State Economist of Maine. Nationally, nearly 80% of seniors are homeowners and boomers (those aged between 61 and 79) hold $84 trillion in real estate wealth. Assuming Maine seniors mirror these trends, local governments could lose a substantial portion of their revenue. 6 According to the State Economist of Maine in 2024, it is the oldest state in the nation, with nearly 25% of its population being over the age of 65. The Washington Post via Getty Images And if the state can't fully cover the shortfall, homeowners under the age of 65 might be left picking up the tab, shouldering higher property taxes in a housing market that's already unaffordable for many. An uncomfortable trade-off Proponents of LD 1541 see it as a lifeline for Maine's aging population—one that could help longtime residents stay in their homes despite rising costs. But with no fiscal analysis and few guardrails in place, others worry the proposal could shift the financial burden onto younger generations—especially in a state where nearly one in four residents is over 65. Without clarity on how the state would reimburse municipalities or offset the potential cost of this proposal, it's not just a question of whether Maine can afford to help seniors; it's a question of whether doing so might come at the expense of younger Mainers. As the bill moves forward, the challenge for lawmakers will be finding a way to support aging Mainers without undermining the financial future of the state they hope to keep calling home.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican lawmakers want to repeal Maine's 72-hour waiting period on firearms purchases
Apr. 16—AUGUSTA — Gun rights supporters urged Maine lawmakers Wednesday to roll back some of the safety measures put in place last year in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting. House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, has submitted one of two bills to repeal the 72-hour waiting period on firearm sales. Rep. Jennifer Poirier, R-Skowhegan, has proposed eliminating mandatory background checks for private sales. The waiting period and a law expanding background check requirements to include private, advertised sales were passed by the previous Legislature after a gunman killed 18 people in October 2023. Faulkingham said Wednesday the waiting period law was the result of government overreach. "This requirement may have been well-intentioned, but ultimately it is unnecessary, burdensome and of questionable constitutionality," Faulkingham said. Gun rights advocates also sued the state in November to overturn the waiting period law. The outcome of the lawsuit is pending, but a federal judge ruled in February to pause implementation of the law while the case works its way through the court system. Faulkingham pointed to Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker's injunction, which has been continued pending a decision by a federal appeals court, in making his case for LD 208 to members of the Judiciary Committee Wednesday. "This is a strong signal the courts believe this law will ultimately be found unconstitutional and if that is the case, it makes little sense for us to keep it on the books," Faulkingham said. Gun safety advocates, however, have said that 72-hour waiting periods are useful in preventing suicides by giving people a "cooling off" period before they're able to access a gun — an argument that resurfaced during Wednesday's public hearing. "It allows ... time for the suicidal person to have second thoughts and to change their mind before acting," said David Moltz, a physician and psychiatrist who testified on behalf of the Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians. "They still get to have their gun; they just have to wait a few days to get it. But those few days may mean the difference between life and death." Lawmakers only narrowly passed the 72-hour waiting period last year, with the House of Representatives voting 73-70 and the Senate voting 18-17. Gov. Janet Mills allowed the bill to become law without her signature, saying at the time that she was deeply conflicted over the bill and that similar laws were being challenged in other states, including Vermont. The Vermont lawsuit still has not been resolved. Rep. Quentin Chapman, R-Auburn, has proposed a second bill, LD 1230, identical to Faulkingham's, that would also eliminate the waiting period. Both bills have several Republican co-sponsors. Supporters of gun rights argued Wednesday that the new law, which was in effect for a few months before being paused by the court, hurt business at gun shops and has made it harder for people to be able to defend themselves. Andee Reardon, a Maine representative of the group Women for Gun Rights, told the committee that she lives just minutes away from where the Lewiston shooting took place and that she was overwhelmed hearing from women who felt unsafe in the aftermath as it took police two days to locate the shooter. "For those people, that 72-hour wait period is much too long," Reardon said. "If we have another tragedy in our state people are going to want to arm themselves, because the police are busy." Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, which pushed for the reforms last year, testified against both 72-hour bills as well as a proposal from Rep. Jennifer Poirier, R-Skowhegan, to eliminate requirements for background checks on private gun sales. "These policies are two of the most basic tools in our toolbox to reduce crime and save lives," Palmer said. IMPROVING STORAGE Lawmakers also heard proposals Wednesday for improving the safe storage of firearms. LD 1120 would strengthen the criminal penalties associated with negligent storage of firearms and would require dealers to post public notices in areas where sales occur warning of the risks associated with having firearms at home. Another pair of bills, LD 1174 and LD 1104, would facilitate firearms hold agreements through which people could temporarily store their firearms with a gun shop. Rep. Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, the sponsor of LD 1104, said such arrangements would be useful in a variety of scenarios, including during the sale of a home, when children are visiting or during a tumultuous time such as a divorce. Doudera suggested the committee could combine her bill with LD 1174, from Rep. Stephen Wood, R-Greene, because she said the language in Greene's bill is stronger. She suggested also expanding Greene's bill, which would only provide the option for firearms owners who are veterans or emergency responders. Greene said gun shops are currently not allowed to offer such a service. He said it would be a valuable tool for helping people who are more likely to experience a mental health crisis, but expressed concerns about opening up hold agreements for broader groups of people, saying it could overwhelm firearms dealers with needs for storage. "If it's just military and first responders, it would be fewer people and they could make the room for them," Greene said. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers advance plan to expand tax exemption for homeowners
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) testifies before the Taxation Committee in Augusta. (Photo by Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) After hearing a litany of proposals to expand the state's tax exemption for homeowners, the Legislature's Taxation Committee moved forward with one amended plan that would increase the exemption for all people incrementally. In a unanimous vote among those present on Tuesday, the committee voted to advance a plan that would increase the Homestead Property Tax Exemption by $5,000 per year until it reaches a total value of $50,000 from the just value of a home over the course of five years. This plan, which is in LD 140, now heads to the Maine Senate and House of Representatives for approval. Currently, the Homestead Property Tax Exemption provides a reduction for property tax purposes of up to $25,000 from the value of a home. In order to qualify, a homeowner must be a permanent resident of Maine, the home must be their permanent residence and they have to have owned a home in the state for at least one year before applying. As originally proposed by Sen. Joseph Baldacci (D-Penobscot), LD 140 would have increased the tax exemption by $10,000 per year until the total exemption reached $95,000. Baldacci argued that incrementally increasing the tax exemption would be the most fiscally responsible method because it will be more feasible for the general fund to absorb costs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The committee agreed, though opted for smaller increments and a smaller overall increase. The smaller increments would now cost the state roughly $14 million per year, compared to double that with the initial proposal, which Rep. Shelley Rudnicki (R-Fairfield) characterized as more reasonable. The amended bill also removes adjustments for inflation after the cap, which lawmakers argued felt less pertinent due to the gradual adjustments. 'It seems like it just makes it extremely complex for everyone and I'm not sure that most taxpayers would even notice that,' said Rep. Gary Friedman (D-Bar Harbor), who proposed the tweaks. Gov. Janet Mills' administration testified against LD 140, and the several other proposed reforms to the homestead exemption, arguing it will shift the property tax burden to other taxpayers and result in an increase in property tax mill rates over time. 'LD 140 would provide broad property tax relief to resident homeowners, regardless of their ability to pay the tax, at a very high cost, when more focused tax relief could be provided at a much lower cost using the Property Tax Fairness Credit or other programs,' Michael Allen, associate commissioner for tax policy in the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, told the committee earlier this month. Last year, lawmakers expanded eligibility to the Property Tax Fairness Credit — which provides refunds for property taxes or rent paid — and created a Property Tax Deferral Program, specifically to soften the blow from the short-lived Property Tax Stabilization Program that allowed older Mainers to freeze their property taxes. The Legislature repealed that program after just one year in effect, following skyrocketing cost projections, concern about wealthy property owners taking advantage due to a lack of income restrictions and the administrative burden it left on municipalities. The Taxation Committee is hearing other proposals aimed at controlling property taxes on Wednesday, including legislation to reinstate the Property Tax Stabilization Program and amend the state constitution to require greater state reimbursement for residential property tax exemptions and increase the minimum homestead exemption to $50,000. Bipartisan efforts to expand property tax exemptions face pushback from Mills administration While advancing Baldacci's proposal, the committee voted Tuesday against four other proposals to expand the homestead exemption in other ways, including through one lump increase or only for particular groups. These rejected proposals included LD 658, sponsored by House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor), which would double the exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 of the just value of a home. Two had focused specifically on residents who are 65 years old or older. LD 7, sponsored by Sen. Rick Bennett (R-Oxford), proposes increasing the exemption to $75,000 for that group, while LD 934, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Wood (R-Greene), proposed a greater exemption amount for that group, as well as veterans. LD 570, sponsored by Sen. Cameron Reny (D-Lincoln), would provide an additional tax exemption of $75,000 to families and individuals who make below a certain income, bringing the total tax exemption available for those eligible up to $100,000. The votes against these other plans were also unanimous among those present. The committee has yet to take action on LD 559, sponsored by Sen. Donna Bailey (D-York), which would allow municipalities to adopt a property tax stabilization program for their senior residents approved by local ordinance. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
