This is Representative Marygrace Cimino of Bridgeton with the Weekly Republican Address.

The Maine Legislature has just completed another session that failed to meaningfully address the serious challenges facing our state.

In fact, many of the actions taken made those challenges worse—despite the unified opposition of every Republican legislator.

Every Republican proposal offered this session was rejected on party-line votes.

Earlier this month, the Legislature passed a supplemental budget that includes over $90 million in new taxes.

This follows last year’s tax increases that impacted working families, low-income earners, and seniors. These new or expanded taxes included tobacco products, cannabis, streaming services, outdoor recreation, seniors’ pensions, and even everyday items like paint.

After eight years of one-party control, the results are clear.

Nearly half of Maine’s population has effectively been excluded from the budget process. During that same period, the state budget has nearly doubled—from approximately $6.7 billion to nearly $12 billion.

The question is straightforward: Is Maine better off?

Consider the current reality:

Maine has become increasingly unaffordable for most residents, except for the very wealthy or those receiving government assistance.

Housing costs have surged to the point where roughly 79% of Mainers cannot afford to buy a home.

Property taxes—when adjusted for income—rank among the highest in the nation, compounding the burden.

Electricity costs are among the highest in the country.

Maine ranks in the top five for residential electric rates, with average monthly bills around $143, and among the highest rate increases nationwide.

Despite spending approximately $26,000 per student—well above the national average—Maine ranks 41st in K-12 education.

Reading and math proficiency remain near the bottom nationally, and the rate of students not graduating on time has increased, even as national trends improve.

Maine also ranks 48th in the nation for teachers.

Enrollment in MaineCare has nearly doubled since the LePage administration—from 235,000 to over 405,000 individuals.

By comparison, neighboring New Hampshire, with a similar population, has roughly 200,000 participants.

A key difference is that Maine taxpayers are funding coverage for able-bodied, childless adults.

Meanwhile, Maine’s roads, bridges, and infrastructure rank among the worst in the country.

The overall tax burden places Maine among the top five highest-taxed states—exceeding even California.

Looking ahead, an even more serious issue is emerging: allegations of provider fraud within MaineCare and an ongoing federal investigation that could require the state to repay hundreds of millions of dollars.

The most recent MaineCare budget alone fell short by $130 million, contributing to a broader shortfall approaching half a billion dollars.

Rather than addressing fraud, waste, and structural problems, the majority chose to spend all available funds, violated state law to raid the Budget Stabilization Fund, raised taxes, and pursued additional borrowing.

Republicans have consistently proposed a different path.

Over the past eight years of record revenue, Republicans have advocated for broad-based tax relief—allowing Mainers to keep more of what they earn.

Most recently, Democrats rejected a proposal to align Maine with the federal Working Families Tax Cut Act, which would have reduced taxes for working families and seniors by approximately $94 million.

Instead, a limited number of individuals will receive one-time $300 payments in an election year—funded by taxpayers earning over $50,000, many of whom are already struggling to meet their own financial obligations.

Republicans have also put forward proposals aimed at lowering energy costs and improving affordability across the board.

The contrast is clear. In 2011, when Republicans last held control, approximately 70,000 individuals were removed from the income tax rolls, and tax rates were reduced for all income levels.

Maine does not have to continue on its current path.

With a change in direction, our state can once again become a place where people of all income levels can afford to live, work, raise a family, retire, and build a future.

This has been Representative Marygrace Cimino with the Weekly Republican Address.

Thank you for listening, and for staying engaged.