Late last month, the Legislature concluded its work for the session and successfully passed part two of the biennial budget which made historic investments in Maine people.
Whether you’re trying to start a family, caring for an aging parent, or need to take time off yourself due to illness, being forced to choose between taking the time you need and receiving a paycheck is an impossible decision. This year, we helped make those already difficult situations a bit easier by passing and funding Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML).
With the implementation of this policy, more Mainers will be able to spend those critical early weeks after childbirth or adoption with the new baby without the added fear and anxiety of missing a paycheck or having to choose which parent’s income can be forfeited. More Mainers will be able to recover fully from an illness or an injury without worrying about how they will make their car or rent payments. And more Mainers will be able to spend time with a sick loved one without compromising their ability to afford groceries or school supplies. As Maine joins eleven other states with PFML policies, we demonstrate our commitment to the financial and physical health and well-being of our residents at every phase of life.
This session, we also passed Maine’s very first fully refundable child tax credit at $300 per dependent, which not only helps parents make ends meet but it has also been shown to lift children and families out of poverty and dramatically reduce rates of childhood hunger. After the success of the temporarily expanded refundable federal child tax credit in 2021, we saw an opportunity to implement a state policy that could deliver similarly transformational results for Maine families.
Additionally, the Legislature boosted the state child care affordability program, making it easier for income-eligible families to afford child care by increasing eligibility for the program from 85% to 125% of the state’s median income. Access to child care is closely tied to economic well-being for families, businesses, and communities at large. Ensuring more folks can get child care and return to work is a worthwhile investment in the well-being of our state.
For older Mainers living on fixed incomes but facing the reality of fluctuating costs of living, particularly increasing property taxes, we also found ways to offer meaningful support. This session, we replaced the fiscally unsustainable and overly broad Senior Property Tax Stabilization Program with an expansion of two time-tested programs proven to stabilize expenses for older Mainers. We increased the Property Tax Fairness Credit and expanded the Property Tax Deferral Program which will make it possible for more Mainers to age with dignity in their communities.
These were just a few of the programs we were able to implement or expand upon this session that will make a significant difference for Mainers. As your representative, I hope to ensure that you have what you need to pursue a dream, have a family, start a business or age in your own home. I am proud of the measures we passed this session, especially because taken together they constitute a powerful network of tools and resources that will empower more Mainers to be successful at every stage of life.
Rep. Maureen “Mo” Terry, D-Gorham, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She is the House Majority Leader, where she serves as head of the Democratic caucus. Outside of her legislative work, Rep. Terry is a chef and small business owner. Contact her at maureen.terry@legislature.maine.gov.