Maine Democratic Party Criticizes House Republican Leader Over Budget Deal

Strategic Insights -

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Phil Bartlett has lambasted House Republican Leader Rep. Ken Fredette for obstructing a bipartisan budget deal in favor of tax giveaways to the ultra-rich. Fredette's stance threatens to bring the state government to a shutdown on June 30. The Maine Democratic Party claims that Fredette's actions are driven by a desire to emulate the style of Ted Cruz, the Texas Senator known for his staunch conservatism. The party argues that this approach is holding back Maine's economic growth and hindering the development of a fair budget deal that would benefit the middle class.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Maine Democratic Party accuses House Republican Leader Rep. Ken Fredette of bringing Washington-style politics to the Legislature's budget negotiations, focusing on tax breaks for the ultra-rich rather than a bipartisan budget deal.
  • According to the Maine Center for Economic Policy, under the GOP's tax plan, Mainers with incomes less than $57,000 will face a tax increase, while the top 1 percent will receive an average tax cut of more than $8,300.
  • Under the Governor's plan, 50 percent of the tax break goes to the top 10 percent, leaving gaping holes in the budget for local schools and communities by 2019.
  • The Democrats' proposed "Better Deal for Maine" prioritizes tax cuts for the middle class, cutting taxes, on average, for the bottom 95 percent of Maine taxpayers.
  • The "Better Deal for Maine" plan would provide a larger tax break, on average, for the bottom 80 percent of Maine taxpayers compared to the Governor's plan.

Statistics:

  • $57,000: The income level below which Mainers will face a tax increase under the GOP's tax plan.
  • $8,300: The average tax cut for the top 1 percent of Mainers under the GOP tax plan.
  • 10 percent: The percentage of the top earners receiving 50 percent of the tax break under the Governor's plan.
  • 95 percent: The percentage of Maine taxpayers who would see a cut in taxes under the "Better Deal for Maine" plan.
  • 80 percent: The percentage of Maine taxpayers who would receive a larger tax break on average under the "Better Deal for Maine" plan compared to the Governor's plan.

Sources:

  • Maine Democratic Party, "Maine Democratic Party: Fredette's Reckless Politics an Embarrassment to Maine" (undated)
  • Maine Center for Economic Policy, "Maine's Tax Plan Under the Republican Proposal" (undated)
  • Governor of Maine (undated)
  • "Better Deal for Maine" proposal by Maine Democrats (http://www.speakereves.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/BetterdealFinal1.pdf)