LETTER: Legislation to make state taxes fair

March 16, 2026

To the Editor:

Gas prices are soaring, utility rates are out of control, and food prices are on the rise. These extra costs are on top of the already severe losses experienced by Mainers in healthcare, education, and housing because of cuts in the federal budget. We know who suffers most severely, who must decide each month between paying the rent and covering an unexpected hospital bill—those in the lowest income brackets.

Our Maine Legislature has before it three bills that would bring some relief to those most in need by shifting the burden from those least able to pay to those in the greatest position to pitch in. LD 229, titled “An Act to Bring Fairness in Income Taxes to Maine State Families,” reduces the tax burden for lower-income individuals and offsets that reduction with modest increases in taxes on higher-income individuals and corporations. As the federal government doubles down on cutting critical support programs to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, let’s ensure that our Legislature and Governor make Maine’s tax code fairer.

Two other bills, LD 1879 and LD 1089, would also impact only those most able to pay—corporations with annual incomes over $3.5 million and individuals earning more $1 million. Modest tax surcharges for these groups would provide much needed resources for Maine’s agricultural economy and for public education.

Let your elected officials know that you believe in fairness as we seek relief from federal chaos. We want our legislature to send a budget next month to Governor Mills that gives us hope for Maine’s future.

Ellen Foote

Brooklin, Maine

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