Senior Property Tax Stabilization, What Happened? What is Next?

08/11/23 • 45 min

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Potholes & Politics: Local Maine Issues from A to Z

Last year, LD 290, An Act To Stabilize Property Taxes for Individuals 65 Years of Age or Older Who Own a Homestead for at Least 10 Years, was enacted with little discussion and a host of very expensive unintended consequences.
This year, the law was amended to address those consequences and bring property tax relief where it was most needed. However, it will now be up to municipal officials to address the fall out of public misunderstandings as one law sunsets and two more programs expand.
In this episode, we talk with leading municipal policy architect and boss extraordinaire, Kate Dufour, Director of Advocacy and Communications at MMA who explains: "How we got here, from there" on property tax relief programs.
The Advocacy team briefly chats about the woes of this past session and hope for the future and Lambo talks about where in Maine she is off to next.

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On The Road: Aroostook County

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Rebecca Squared took a break from Augusta last week and spent some time talking with local government leaders in Aroostook County. The week before they hit the National League of Cities Staff Convention in Boston.
What are the unique challenges of the northern communities, what makes them special, and what do Augusta policy makers need to understand about the 5 hours of Maine north of the Augusta Bubble?
In this episode we introduce you to our newest colleague, and former Georgetown Town Administrator, Amanda Campbell. We also chat with St. Agatha Town Manager Michelle Bernier, Frenchville Town Manager, David Cyr and Aroostook County Administrator, Ryan Pelletier.
Note: As a special treat, we drop in a very local tidbit for loyal listeners. See if you can find it! The episode picture will make sense when you do!

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Pumpkinfest Latte's and Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation (MLEAP) Programs

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While it seems like we may have been on vacation, the intersession work has been in full swing and Legislative Committees including Judiciary and Housing are back at it next week!
This episode we dive into the Maine Law Enforcement Accreditation Program managed by Dirigo Safety and speak with one chief in the tail end of the accreditation process; Jason Warlick of Damariscotta Police Department on the benefits of being a certified MLEAP agency.
After talking about the process, we touch on what it is like to be Chief in a tiny (population wise) town in Maine with major big city issues, and one of the largest most popular community festivals in the nation: Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta.
For more information about the MLEAP program, reach out to Shawn O'Leary at [email protected] and to apply for the Law Enforcement Grant program through MMA email [email protected]. As always you can email the show at [email protected]. Don't forget to rate us and subscribe and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @memun_advocacy.