Throughout my first year in office, one of the most frequent concerns I’ve heard from constituents is that the rising cost of living is making it harder for families in Gorham to get ahead. From increasing housing costs to grocery prices, it feels like everything is more expensive now than it was even just a year ago. It’s hurting working families and older folks on fixed incomes the most.
In the Legislature, we made it a priority this year to do everything we could to help ease the growing financial burden many Mainers are facing. While there’s a lot more work to be done, we took meaningful steps to enact policies that will uplift families in our community. Having raised three daughters myself, I know that every little bit helps.
In 2023, the Legislature created a new state Child Tax Credit for parents and households with dependents, which is putting money directly back into the pockets of working families with kids to be able to spend on essentials. This year, we doubled that credit to $600 per child for children under six, for families earning up to $150,000 per year. While Congress let the enhanced federal Child Tax Credits expire at the end of 2021, the Legislature has consistently stepped up to try and provide more meaningful tax relief with policies like this, which has lifted more Maine kids out of poverty.
This year, we also passed the largest tax cut for first-time homebuyers in Maine history by eliminating their real estate transfer tax. We also adjusted the tax rate on the portion of property sales over $1 million, which will be used to create a dedicated funding stream for affordable housing production. Together, these measures will hopefully make it easier for families to realize their dream of homeownership and increase the production of housing that is desperately needed throughout our state.
Additionally, we made important investments to help improve the affordability and availability of child care. Right now, child care is impossible to find for too many families, and when spots do become available, it’s often way too expensive. I’ve heard from constituents who have said that the cost of child care for their family is like taking on a second mortgage. It shouldn’t be that way. To make progress, the state budget we passed earlier this year includes $40 million for child care, including $30 million to support wages in our child care workforce.
Policies like these will help more Gorham families get ahead. When the Legislature reconvenes in January, I will continue to advocate for bills that help Gorham families and better ensure that our state can be a place where people don’t just survive, but thrive – and not just today, but for generations to come.
Please feel free to contact me at Parnell.Terry@legislature.maine.gov with your questions and concerns. I am here to serve you, and I can do that best by hearing directly from you. Maine people deserve leaders who are fighting to make sure they can afford to build healthy, happy lives. I remain committed to this, and to maintaining our strong Maine communities and way of life.
Rep. Terry is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents part of Gorham. Terry is a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee.
