Meeting Maine’s Electricity Needs

A few months ago, the cost of electric power was predicted to skyrocket this year in Maine in response to ongoing supply issues with natural gas, nearly doubling the cost of standard offer services from energy suppliers. While the average price increase is thought to be about $30 per household, many have seen their monthly bills jump by hundreds of dollars.

Senate Majority Leader Eloise Vitelli is proposing a third option. LD 1913, “An Act To Review Strategies for Improving Utility Rate Affordability and To Provide Utility Relief,” would direct the Public Utilities Commission to create a relief program to help seniors and other struggling Mainers pay for their energy bills, including bills from this winter, and any late fees that might have accrued. To ensure that these relief funds work for as long as possible, the Public Utilities Commission would establish, alongside Efficiency Maine, an education program regarding energy-efficient upgrades and applying for other financial relief programs.

The bill would also direct the Public Advocate to create a commission of stakeholders to review utility rates and come up with a plan to ensure that Maine people will be able to afford their energy bills as the state modernizes its electric grid and moves toward energy independence.

“The unfortunate fact is that while we’re investing in energy independence, we’re still at the mercy of fossil fuel companies,” Senator Vitelli said in a guest column published in the Portland Press Herald. “Increasing or fluctuating energy costs are especially difficult for low-income families, seniors and those with disabilities who are on fixed incomes. I strongly believe the measures in this bill will provide real relief to those who need it the most.”

Mainers for Working Families applauds Senator Vitelli for taking this important action to keep electricity affordable for all Mainers. With the need for electricity especially high in the winter months, we need our leaders in Augusta to do everything possible to ensure energy costs are manageable.

Tell Maine Legislators: Take action to keep energy affordable.

The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, Explained

It’s been a difficult two years for Maine. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people lost their jobs and many industries have suffered. This has put Mainers in a challenging position as we seek economic recovery.

Thankfully, our leaders in Augusta are committed to improving our economy and the lives of Maine’s working families to ensure that we’re thriving beyond pre-pandemic standards. Last year, Maine received $1 billion from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act, the COVID-19 stimulus package passed last March. That money is being allocated to several projects across the state as part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, designed to position our families, communities, and economy for growing prosperity in the years to come.

So what are some of the major highlights of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan?

Affordable Homeownership and Rental Development: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the growing affordable housing crisis in Maine. As people from all over the country invested in their own little piece of Vacationland, many Mainers have faced rising property taxes and a lack of affordable housing. The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan allocates $50 million to expand housing options that are affordable to workers and their families to own or rent, through financing programs administered by MaineHousing that will build additional affordable housing units.

Maine Community College System Workforce Training Programs: Maine is investing $35 million to expand no-cost vocational training to 8,500 Mainers seeking to improve their skills or career opportunities in Maine industries negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including health care, clean energy, manufacturing, hospitality, education, computer technology, and trades. Funding will support student tuition costs, new equipment for training, and added staffing for project management, instruction, and learner navigation.

Health Insurance Premium Relief Program for Small Businesses: Insurance premiums for small business employers have risen drastically over the past few years, an issue worsened by the pandemic. The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan invests $39 million into a program to assist small business owners with covering health insurance premiums for their employees. By providing affordable health insurance, small businesses can attract and retain workers.

Investing in Maine’s forestry sector: As we told you back in November, Maine has invested $20 million in the Forestry Recovery Initiative. This program will be used to recover from pandemic losses, upgrade equipment, develop new, sustainable products, and strengthen the supply chain.

For more information on the initiatives included in the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, click here.

These programs are a sound investment in our state. Mainers for Working Families is incredibly grateful to the Maine Legislature and the Mills Administration for their efforts to not only address the hardships of the pandemic, but to strengthen our communities and Maine’s future.

Mainers with Fixed Incomes are Receiving Property Tax Relief

People from all over the country have sought a little piece of Vacationland during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the supply of affordable housing dwindles and home prices skyrocket, Maine homeowners have seen their property taxes rise significantly. This has been hard on Mainers across the state, but it is particularly difficult for those living on fixed incomes, including the elderly and the disabled.

Now the Mills Administration is stepping in to ease the burden. Last month, Governor Mills announced the launch of the State Property Tax Deferral Program, a $3.5 million lifeline loan program as part of the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan. Under this new program, Mainers age 65 and older or permanently disabled making less than $40,000 per year would have their annual property taxes paid in full. The loan would need to be repaid if the recipient sells their property or puts it into an estate, helping to keep the program funded.

“Older Mainers and those with disabilities deserve to live and age in the comfort of their homes without worrying they’ll lose them because they can’t afford the property taxes,” said Governor Mills. “This program through my Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan provides folks with the peace of mind that they can age safely and securely in their homes. My Administration will continue to work with the Legislature to address property taxes, increase the availability of housing, and ensure that all Maine people, regardless of age or income, are able to have a safe, stable place to call home in our state.”

“Municipal leaders commend Governor Mills and members of the Legislature for reinstating Maine’s Property Tax Deferral Program. This program will help qualifying residents remain in their homes, without shifting additional burdens onto the property taxpayers,” said James Bennett, President of the Maine Municipal Association and Biddeford City Manager. “This is a much needed and welcomed investment in Maine’s communities.”

The State Property Tax Deferral Program is one of the many ways Governor Mills and the Maine Legislature are working to ensure that every Mainer has access to affordable housing. House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and Governor Mills passed the single largest state investment in housing in Maine’s history in 2020. And just last year, Speaker Fecteau established a commission to review data and propose measures that would encourage increased housing options in the state. The Commission’s final report was released in December.

Mainers for Working Families applauds Governor Mills and our leaders in the Maine Legislature for their efforts to keep Mainers in their homes in the midst of the affordable housing crisis. Every Mainer deserves to have a roof over their head, especially at this time of year.