Advocates and Mainers with lived experience gathered at the State House today to urge lawmakers to reject tax giveaways for wealthy households and large corporations and instead raise progressive revenue to address Maine’s affordability crisis.
The press conference coincided with legislative hearings on the tax components of Governor Janet Mills’ supplemental budget. Speakers emphasized that Maine must respond to harmful federal policy changes — including those in the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (HR1), which cut food assistance and health care to fund corporate and high-income tax breaks — by strengthening state revenue and investing in long-term solutions.
Participants outlined a clear choice before lawmakers: protect working families from the fallout of federal cuts or continue prioritizing tax breaks for those at the top. They highlighted rising costs and workforce shortages as evidence that one-time relief measures are insufficient.
Advocates urged lawmakers to raise progressive revenue by asking millionaires and large corporations to pay their fair share (LD 229, LD 1089 and LD 1879) and to reject conformity with federal corporate tax giveaways.
They warned that mirroring federal tax changes that disproportionately benefit profitable corporations would undermine the state’s ability to fund essential services.
Speakers pointed to legislation under consideration that would generate sustainable revenue by increasing taxes on income over $1 million and on large corporate profits. They argued that these measures would help build a fiscal “firewall” against federal harm and support lasting investments in Maine workers, families and communities.
The group emphasized that Maine voters across the political spectrum support tax fairness and strong public services and called on the Legislature to use the supplemental budget to create durable economic security for working families across the state.
Speakers at press conference:
- Ryan Tipping, Director of Campaigns and Strategy, Maine Center for Economic Policy
- Jessica Fay, Policy and Advocacy Director, Maine Council on Aging
- Chena Immel, Mainer with lived experience related to health care
- Susan Kiralis, Maine Equal Justice board vice president and Equal Justice Partners’ Circle advocate
- Anna Korsen, Deputy Director, Full Plates Full Potential
- Destie Hohman Sprague, Executive Director, Maine Women’s Lobby
Statements from Mainers for Tax Fairness member organizations and Mainers with lived experience:
Ryan Tipping, Maine Center for Economic Policy
“This is a moment for courage, not caution. Voters across the political spectrum support asking millionaires and large corporations to pay their fair share. Maine has the resources. We have the public will. What we need now is the political will. We urge lawmakers to reject wasteful tax giveaways, raise progressive revenue, and invest in lasting solutions that create real economic security and a future where Maine people don’t just get by but get ahead.”
Jessica Fay, Policy and Advocacy Director, Maine Council on Aging
“We need long-term solutions for long-term care needs. Maine has the ability to raise revenue to pay for care — care that most of us will rely on at some point in our lives. Having a stable source of funding for care is critical — a fair tax system would create this source.”
Chena Immel, Mainer with lived experience related to health care
“Most of us believe that no one’s health should be determined by how much money they have in the bank. To fund the vital programs we all depend on, and make investments in our state’s future, we need to make sure that the wealthiest Mainers and super-rich corporations do what’s right, and pay what they truly owe in taxes. I’m asking our legislators to do the right thing and pass bills that will increase tax revenue from the wealthiest Mainers so thousands of everyday people, like me, can get the health care we need and deserve.”
Kristen Kinchla, Research Associate, Maine Children’s Alliance
“Underfunded systems don’t disappear — they shift costs onto families, employers, and local communities. When schools, housing, health care and workforce systems are well-funded, everyone benefits. That’s why fair tax policies matter for Maine’s children and families.”
Susan Kiralis, Maine Equal Justice board vice president and Equal Justice Partners’ Circle advocate
“Maine is in a housing crisis. Rents have risen faster here than in many other states and far faster than wages increase. As a result, more families are at risk of eviction This is where tax fairness becomes real. Money from fair taxation can fund proven solutions like the Eviction Prevention Program. Eviction prevention is one of the most effective responses to Maine’s housing crisis, and it can be funded permanently with a fair tax code. Without action, Maine’s future will belong only to those who can afford it.”
Anna Korsen, Deputy Director, Full Plates Full Potential
“We envision a Maine free from hunger, but if Maine lawmakers continue to fund short term policies and refuse to reform our tax code, we will never end hunger in Maine. SNAP is our most successful and effective tool for preventing hunger and its future is uncertain because of the federal administration’s choice to fund tax breaks for billionaires rather than food for the working poor, children, and older people. Maine must use these progressive tax revenue policies to protect those living with food insecurity from the worst of the federal cuts and provide the best chance of preventing a hunger crisis.”
Matt Schlobohm, Executive Director, Maine AFL-CIO
“The top 1% in Maine pay a lower state and local tax rate than the working class. It is simply not right that a millionaire is in the same top tax bracket as a nurse or a plumber. We need to stop favoring the wealthy, make sure they pay their fair share and make it easier for working people to get by.”
Destie Hohman Sprague, Executive Director, Maine Women’s Lobby
“Tax fairness is a gendered issue on both sides of the equation: Women earn less than men, but currently see a larger proportion of their income taxed, and programs that support women are continually underfunded by the state. A fair tax structure and a fair budget is the way we actually realize the promise of our good policy and adequately serve and meet the needs of Maine women and all people in our state — the way life should be.”
Mainers for Tax Fairness policy priorities:
- LD 1089, An Act to Permanently Fund 55 Percent of the State’s Share of Education by Establishing a Tax on Incomes of More than $1,000,000, would add a 2% tax on income over $1 million to fund public schools. Maine’s tax system favors the wealthy—middle-class families pay more, proportionally. This bill raises $75 million annually, ensuring fair contributions and freeing funds to meet other critical needs.
- LD 1879, An Act to Support Maine’s Agricultural Economy by Increasing Revenue from the Corporate Income Tax, raises Maine’s corporate tax rate on profits over $3.5 million from 8.93% to 10%, generating $50 million annually to support agriculture and vital services. It targets large corporations, not small businesses, ensuring fairer contributions while keeping Maine economically competitive.
- LD 229, An Act to Bring Fairness in Income Taxes to Maine Families by Adjusting the Tax Brackets and Tax Rates, reforms Maine’s income tax brackets by asking more of those most able to pay while supporting Maine families in the middle class. A more progressive income tax helps offset the regressive nature of sales and property taxes and strengthens the state’s ability to fund public services. This bill generates $90 million annually in its current form.
Mainers for Tax Fairness is a coalition dedicated to cleaning up Maine’s tax code to fund investments that build thriving communities. The coalition represents teachers, health care providers, policy experts, workers, small business owners, advocates for children and families with low incomes, and other groups fighting to improve tax fairness and build a stronger, more inclusive economy for all Mainers.