Needs before wants

If Democrats plan to continue additional spending, it should go to roads, nursing homes, direct care workers and people with disabilities on waitlists.

STATEHOUSE- Revised economic forecasts for 2020 indicate that Maine will have an additional $116.9 million from a strong economy. The next revenue forecast in the spring may result in even more revenue from taxpayers. $74.6 million of that total is largely one-time monies available in the first year of the biennial budget that passed last spring.

“House Republicans want to make it clear that Maine’s most pressing needs should come first, said House Republican Leader Kathleen Dillingham (R-Oxford). “Forecasted monies should fund needs, not wants. They should help people that are struggling with real life needs right now. Maine’s most pressing needs include our roads, nursing homes, direct care workers and people with disabilities on waitlists.”

“Democrats put together an $8 billion budget that is 11% higher than the last one and isn’t sustainable
in future years,” said Assistant Republican Leader Harold ‘Trey’ Stewart (R- Presque Isle). “It spent 99.995% of available monies, but neglected to fund core priorities. Failure to set and fund the true priorities of Maine people is causing undue harm to our most vulnerable citizens.”

Representative Sawin Millett (R-Waterford), the Republican Lead on the Appropriations Committee and republican appropriation committee members, have met with the revenue forecasting committee through the fall and winter and will work in good faith on any supplemental budget request.

"The revenue forecasting committee has indicated that additional one time monies will be available in 2020.  This money should not be used for new programs but prioritized to fund existing needs," said Rep. Millett.

Rep. Dennis Keschl (R-Belgrade) said, "One time monies cannot be spent on future programs without future tax increases. We must meet current needs with existing resources, not rely on tax increases or borrowing."

"Every Mainer knows that we are in desperate need of improved roads. We continue to borrow money to pay for them and this cannot continue. I hope that there is recognition that roads are a priority and should be taken care of within existing tax revenues not with tax gimmicks at the gas pump," said Rep. Nate Wadsworth (R-Hiram).

Rep. Amy Arata (R-New Gloucester) stated, "We just passed a budget that increased state spending by 11%. We then borrowed $105 million for transportation. We need to set priorities. We have waitlists for families in critical need of our assistance and roads that need fixing now. Any additional spending of existing tax revenues should go toward true priorities that should have been included in the $8 billion budget. We have to stop borrowing money for things that should have been funded first."