Tim Nangle: Beneficial property tax relief changes you should know about

By State Sen. Tim Nangle

As your state senator, one of my primary responsibilities is to inform you about changes that directly impact your life. Recently, the 131st Legislature made some substantial adjustments to our state's property tax programs, which will better target relief to folks who need it the most.

State Sen. Tim Nangle

Last year, the 130th Legislature passed LD 290, which created the Property Tax Stabilization Program. While this program was well-intentioned and seemed good on the surface, municipalities and financial experts soon identified that this program would have quickly become financially unsustainable. It had the potential to strain our state and local budgets, putting added pressure on fellow property taxpayers. It was clear we needed to make a change.

This year, the Taxation Committee worked to address this issue. After thoughtful deliberation and bipartisan agreement, the committee amended and approved LD 130, "An Act to Eliminate Senior Citizen Property Tax Stabilization and Expand the Homestead Property Tax Exemption."

This bill made two important changes to existing programs that significantly benefit seniors living on a fixed income. It sunsets the unworkable Property Tax Stabilization Program while expanding two existing, better-targeted programs — the Property Tax Fairness Credit and the Senior Property Tax Deferral Program. The changes put forward in this bill were included in the biennial budget.

This change has a variety of advantages over the previous program. Under the old Property Tax Stabilization Program, the average Maine senior would have saved $128 per year. Now, seniors will save on average close to $500 per year — a substantial increase that makes a real difference for those living on a tight budget. To make sure financial relief reaches those who need it, the Property Tax Fairness Credit will see substantial improvements. The credit's maximum benefit will increase, and the income qualifications have been extended so more folks can receive this credit. Importantly, because the Property Tax Fairness Credit is also available to renters, this change ensures that seniors who choose to sell their homes and move into apartments won’t suddenly lose their aid. It doesn't just benefit long-term homeowners; it also extends support to seniors who rent or who have recently downsized to an apartment.

Perhaps one of the best changes is that you won’t need to go to the town office and fill out any special forms to get this credit. All you have to do is file your income taxes; if you qualify, you get it. If you need help filling out your taxes, you can reach out to CA$H Maine and AARP Tax-Aide for free assistance.

The Senior Property Tax Deferral Program was also expanded. By relaxing income and asset restrictions, the program can now benefit more Mainers. For homeowners who have fallen behind on property taxes, the updated law allows them to enter the deferral program — a change specifically recommended by Legal Services for the Elderly.

These changes will go into effect in January 2024. Those who were previously part of the Property Tax Stabilization Program should file their income tax – even if you haven’t needed to file in a while, or know you don’t owe taxes — to qualify for the Property Tax Fairness Credit, which has been enhanced to better direct relief. Information about this credit, as well as the existing Homestead Exemption Program, is available on the official website of Maine Revenue Services: https://www.maine.gov/revenue/

The changes to these programs are a testament to our shared commitment to supporting those who have worked hard to build our communities over generations. I’m going to keep working to ensure fair treatment and economic stability for all Mainers, including our seniors.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, wants to discuss legislation, or needs help connecting with a state agency, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is Timothy.Nangle@legislature.maine.gov, and my office phone number is 207-287-1515. You can find me on Facebook at facebook.com/SenatorTimNangle. To receive regular updates, sign up for my e-newsletter at mainesenate.org. <

Tim Nangle: Keeping our promises and paying the bills

By State Sen. Tim Nangle

Last week was certainly a busy one up in Augusta. After a long night in the Senate chamber, I am proud to share that we have successfully passed Part I of the biennial budget.

State Senator Tim Nangle

This budget reflects our dedication to fulfilling the needs of Mainers by providing essential services and ensuring our ongoing commitments to education, childcare, hospitals, behavioral health, long-term care, property tax relief, and much more. These are not just line items in a budget but an embodiment of our shared values and vision for a better Maine.

The decision to approach the biennial budget in two parts — focusing first on current services and later debating new initiatives — is designed to provide stability and transparency for our families, communities, and small business owners. By making good on our commitments and paying the bills, we’ve laid a solid foundation for future growth and development in our great state.

Part I of the budget keeps our promises on property tax relief, early childcare and education, and health care. It respects Maine’s revenue-sharing program, protects the Property Tax Fairness Credit, upholds the Homestead Exemption Program, and provides tax breaks for older Mainers. It also makes good on the state’s commitment to fund education at 55 percent, provide free school meals for all, support Maine’s childcare workers, and fund teacher retirement.

As a lifelong advocate of public health, I am pleased to see that Part I of the budget prioritizes health care coverage for children and families through the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), as well as funding for nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and in-home and community support services for older Mainers and other adults. Additionally, the budget includes funding for the low-cost drugs program, which helps retired Mainers access affordable medications.

By funding education at 55 percent, supporting our childcare workers, and ensuring our retired neighbors can enjoy well-earned tax breaks, Part I of the budget acknowledges the dedication of hard-working Mainers all across our state. Our children will continue to benefit from school meals at no charge, and we'll keep investing in crucial health care programs like CHIP for our youngest Mainers.

This continuing services budget might not make for exciting headlines, but it does make for good government. By maintaining the revenue-sharing program at 5 percent, we ensure stability for property taxes, providing municipalities with the necessary funds to cover essential services like law enforcement, snow removal, and more. This is the first-ever two-year budget to fully restore the revenue-sharing program since its elimination in 2015.

As a former member of the Windham Town Council, I understand how important it is for the state to pay its fair share and provide stability for local municipalities and schools that are currently working on their own budgets.

Knowing what funds that they can expect from the state allows local leaders and school officials to budget more effectively and ensure that municipal taxes don’t increase if they don’t have to. Maine families, communities, and small business owners deserve this type of transparency and leadership from our state government.

Now that we’ve paid all the bills that we agreed to in the 130th Legislature, we can move forward, working across the aisle, to decide what new projects and programs we want to see in the second part of the budget. Importantly, splitting the budget into two parts helps us avoid a government shutdown this summer and guarantees our neighbors, municipalities, and businesses will continue to receive the state services they count on.

As we move forward with the second part of the biennial budget, I will continue working alongside my colleagues to find new ways to strengthen our communities and improve the quality of life for all Mainers. I aim to be your voice in Augusta, representing your hopes and aspirations for what good government means to you.

Thank you for placing your trust in me as your state senator. I remain committed to advocating for the well-being of our families, communities, and local economies. By working together, we can shape the future for a better Maine, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you or someone you know needs assistance, wants to discuss legislation, or needs help connecting with a state agency, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is Timothy.Nangle@legislature.maine.gov, and my office phone number is 207-287-1515. You can find me on Facebook at facebook.com/SenatorTimNangle. To receive regular updates, sign up for my e-newsletter at mainesenate.org. <