Legislative Democrats continue their years-long spending spree

Augusta - Early Thursday morning, legislative Democrats pushed through yet another majority budget - the new normal under their one-party control of Augusta. The supplemental budget brings biennial spending to a record $11.99 billion.

Among the most controversial provisions in the nearly $700 million supplemental budget is a $135 million MaineCare bailout. Taken together with last year's MaineCare bailout, legislative Democrats have sunk almost half a billion dollars into the program, which is mired in controversy surrounding claims of fraud and improper payments.

Despite consistently being a budget-buster, the legislative majority has taken no steps to rein in this program, nor have they budgeted for compliance with new federal program requirements.

The Democrats' supplemental budget also goes so far as to divert $303 million from the Budget Stabilization Fund, even though state law limits that fund's use to covering a General Fund revenue shortfall. The withdrawal of nearly 30 percent of the fund's balance will be used to fund several Democrat pet projects and comply with Gov. Mills' election-year demand for $300 checks to be sent to certain Maine residents.

And as if raiding the Budget Stabilization Fund wasn't enough, the Democrats' majority budget will raise taxes by more than $90 million and increase Maine's top tax rate to 9.15 percent - a top tax rate on par with high-tax states like Massachusetts and Oregon.

The Legislature had an opportunity to provide much-needed and long-overdue relief to Maine's working families and seniors by conforming with federal tax provisions enacted in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. The governor and Legislative Democrats rejected provisions like no tax on tips, no tax on overtime and an increased standard deduction, choosing instead to keep going with their unhealthy spending addiction.

"We have been crystal clear since November that we would not support a budget if it does not contain substantive tax relief for Mainers. Legislative Democrats have rejected every proposal to even consider conformity that would let Mainers keep more of their own money," said Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart, R-Aroostook. "Instead, they jammed through a partisan budget built on reckless spending, tax hikes and raids on our state's reserve fund. This is what one-party control looks like: higher taxes, no accountability and hardworking Mainers left paying the price."

"Janet Mills lied to the Maine people when she said she wouldn't raise taxes-now it looks like she's going to sign this budget with the largest tax hikes Maine has seen in recent memory," said Assistant Senate Republican Leader Matt Harrington, R-York. "This supplemental budget doesn't exist to meet critical funding needs; it exists only to allow the legislative majority to continue their spending spree and expand their fraud-ridden welfare programs."

"In Governor Mills' last budget she will sign into law, she has delivered one last stinking pile of crap that is an insult to the working people of Maine," said House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor.

"While Maine families are tightening their belts just to keep up with rising costs, state government continues to grow at a record pace," said Assistant House Republican Leader Katrina Smith, R-Palermo. "Republicans believe the solution isn't taking more from working people-it's letting them keep more of what they earn."

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