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Constituent Survey
Friends & Neighbors,
I just mailed out my 2019 Constituent Survey, which highlights some of the bills which became law this past legislative session. I’m hoping to hear from as many people as possible for the survey portion at the end. After the survey arrives, please fill it out and mail it back, or go to www.MaineHouse.org and type in 144 the survey code.
Thank You,
Rep. Gregg Swallow
First Regular Session of the 129th Legislature
This past session saw the return of one party government for the first time since 2011. As your Representative, I voted to defend your opportunities to succeed and provide for your loved ones focusing on policies that benefit all of Maine.
There were a few bright spots, notably reaffirmation of Maine’s health insurance law protecting those with pre-existing conditions and the ability to keep children on insurance policies until age 26. There was also property tax relief measures such as increasing the homestead exemption and revenue sharing. These were part of the budget. In total the state budget increased 11% from the previous administration’s budget ($7.1 billion to $8 billion). This includes spending $128 million in surpluses. The Maine House consists of 151 individuals, (89 Democrats, 56 Republicans, and 6 Independents).
In addition to what was passed into law, legislative success can also be measured by what is defeated and prevented from becoming law. This is true in single party government and as the minority we voted unanimously to stop tax increases on home heating fuel (LD 1231), gasoline (LD 434), and beer, wine, and spirits (LD 1070). We were also able to protect Maine’s voice in presidential elections by unanimously voting against a proposal to have Maine disregard the election outcome in Maine for whoever won the national vote (LD 816).
This legislative session saw Maine move to allow taxpayer funding of elective abortions, which I adamantly opposed, along with the elimination of the requirement that only doctors can perform the medical procedure.
I continue to appreciate the feedback, advice and support I have received from the people of District 144. It is an honor to represent you in Augusta.
Accomplishments
Property Tax Relief
Crafted by House Republican members of the Appropriations Committee, the “Keschl-Millett Proposal” provides $75 million in property tax relief. As part of the plan: Maine’s Homestead Exemption is increased by $5,000, allowing residents to exempt $25,000 from their property taxes without negative impacts on local municipalities. Revenue sharing is increased in both years of the years of the biennium, reducing cuts proposed in the Governor’s budget. Finally, the Property Tax Fairness Credit’s (a replacement of the “Circuit Breaker Program”) tax-to-income threshold is reduced from 6% to 5%, allowing 13,000 more Mainers to receive a partial refund of their property taxes.
Health Coverage
This session, LD 1, “An Act To Protect Health Care Coverage for Maine Families”, was introduced and received nearly unanimous bipartisan support in the House before being signed into law. The bill keeps in place a number of important protections for Maine consumers, and protects health coverage for Mainers in the event the ACA is struck down. These include: protections against coverage restrictions for pre-existing conditions, coverage for children under a parent’s plan to age 26, claims appeal rights, prescription drug protections, and fairer rating bands.
Protecting Taxpayer
LD 741, “An Act to Return Surplus Money to Maine Taxpayers” Action: Carry Over Carried over for further work in the next Legislative Session, LD 741 proposes multiple changes to the distribution of Maine tax payers’ money by the State treasury. Rather than allowing a yearly surplus to accumulate, 75% of unappropriated revenue from the General Fund would be refunded to Maine’s tax payers and 25% would be transferred to the Maine’s Rainy Day Fund. Revenue surpluses disguise deficit spending, and encourage further expansion of government – this bill would address those issues while bolstering our savings account and providing tax relief.
Homeless Veteran Programming
LD 184 , “An Act To Amend the Veterans' Homelessness Prevention Coordination Program” LD 184 is emergency legislation which establishes the Veterans’ Homelessness Prevention Partnership Fund to provide reimbursements to volunteer organizations that provide transitional housing to homeless veterans. The Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Services is further directed to establish a program of partnerships with volunteer organizations to provide housing and coordinate efforts to remedy and prevent homelessness among veterans in Maine at the grass roots level. LD 184 received a unanimous report of “ought to pass as amended” from the Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs, and was passed by both the House and Senate with no objection before being signed into law by the Governor.
Ballot Clarity
LD 534, “An Act To Make Ballot Questions Easier To Read and Understand for Maine Voters“ In response to increasingly complex ballot initiatives, LD 534 requires that ballot questions be written in a manner that is understandable to the greatest number of voters possible. By requiring ballot questions to be written by the Secretary of State as simply as is possible, voters of all education and reading comprehension levels will be able to make more informed decisions on how they vote. In addition, the bill requires that ballot questions explicitly state the effect a “yes” or “no” vote may have. This will help to reduce instances of confused voters seeking clarification from clerks and election staff, and ensure voters are able to vote the way they intend to.
This emergency measure was passed unanimously by the House and Senate and signed into law by the Governor.
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