AUGUSTA, Maine — Mayors of 10 of Maine’s largest cities have announced a jobs and economic development coalition whose focus right now is the state budget.
The mayors announced their coalition Thursday in the State House.
The cities are: Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford, Lewiston, Portland, Saco, South Portland, Waterville and Westbrook.
Speaking for the group, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan said Gov. Paul LePage’s proposal to change the way general assistance money is distributed would shift costs to property taxpayers and increase homelessness.
Lewiston Mayor Robert Macdonald says his city would “take a real hit.” He says the mayors will present an alternative to the proposed cuts, which are being reviewed Thursday by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee.
Waterville Mayor Karen Heck said the cities can’t simply turn their backs on poor people.
If the Lepage/ Virginia Heritage society plan to shift state costs onto local property tax payers is bad for a wealthy city like Portland, imagine what it will do to towns with less of a tax base to draw upon.
They can wish all they want. But it looks like all of the budget information is going to be “private papers” which most like will not be allowed scrutiny and examination. I can’t wait for November!
But the Tea Freaks say everyone LOVES Paulie the Puppet !