This article was originally published by Madi Smith in Maine Public.
PORTLAND – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree unveiled an affordability plan today to help lower housing, health care and child care costs.
Among other things, the plan calls for an investment of $100 million a year in affordable housing development, creation of a public health insurance option for Mainers and expansion of universal free pre-K.
Pingree said it would also provide property tax relief to homeowners by doubling the homestead exemption and deepening the property tax fairness credit so more households qualify.
“People are working harder doing everything right, and it still is not enough. This is not a personal failing. This is a policy failure, and it is one the next governor has to tackle,” Pingree said.
Pingree’s plan would increase taxes on second homes owned by non-Mainers and build on the state’s new millionaire’s tax to raise money for her new policies.
“Lowering costs for Maine people will be my first priority every single day. Our future depends on young people feeling like they can stay and make a life in the communities of Maine, especially where they grew up, that seniors are not taxed out of their home, that parents can find decent care for their kids so that they can get to work, and our jobs actually pay wages that allow families to stay afloat,” Pingree said.
