(Policy) hearts afire
Our goal, working alongside people like you, is to make sure Mainers with low income are represented in our laws–especially our state’s budget!
2026 is a “short session” year at the legislature, which means legislators have already voted on most bills, and the opportunities to make change now revolve around the budget–a bill which includes spending on many different programs and services. A good example of this is LD 1522, a bill passed in 2025, that will extend the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) only if it is funded in the budget.
Gov. Mills put forward a proposal last week, and now the legislature will hold hearings and draft its version. You can shape what happens, if you raise your voice!
So, what's in a budget ‘with heart’? Read on to see what we think, and keep up with what happens next by signing up for updates.
Fall in love with affordability
We all want Maine to be a place where we can afford a good home, close to work and family or friends, good schools for our kids, and the basics we need to thrive. Governor Mills has recognized there are ways Maine isn’t living up to this ideal, and has made some important investments in health care, education, and housing–but Maine’s budget should do more to create opportunities to thrive for Maine people, especially families with low income.
One approach the Governor proposed is to use money in the “Rainy Day Fund” to provide one-time, $300 checks (going to taxpayers making up to $75k for single filers and $150k for joint filers). We love a policy with flexibility–allowing Maine families and individuals with low income to spend on what they need most. But with high housing and utility costs, high food costs, and cuts to health care by Congressional Republicans, $300 dollars isn’t enough to make life affordable. We urge the legislature to target any use of the Rainy Day Fund to meet the needs of Mainers for whom affordability has become a true emergency–thanks to the impossibly high costs of housing, utilities, food, and health care.
Break up with regressive taxes
In Maine, the wealthiest 1% pay a smaller percentage of their income in state and local taxes than the middle class, and millionaires pay the same top tax rate as nurses and plumbers. Billionaires and big corporations stack the deck to avoid paying what they owe, but we can change that in Maine and pay for priorities like eviction prevention, by asking the wealthy to pay their fair share (see how this would work from Mainers for Tax Fairness).
Federal cuts hurt. Food, health care, and homes aren’t expendable.
Congress and President Trump made the choice to cut essential programs, including health care programs, SNAP (food assistance), and housing supports so they could fund further tax cuts for wealthy people. We will continue to push to roll back those cuts and encourage you to reach out to our members of Congress to share your frustration about these cuts and how they are harming you and people you know.
While Maine cannot fully fill the gaps created by those cuts, we can do more to address some of those harms. For example, funding the Eviction Prevention Program (EPP) would provide needed support to many of the households most harmed by cuts.
Equity is our love language
Access to justice is critically important to prevent inequities in our state programs and to respond to urgent needs like preventing evictions. Civil legal aid provides legal help for people to protect their livelihoods, their health, and their families when they cannot afford it on their own. Maine Equal Justice is part of a network of civil legal aid providers who work all over the state. While the legislature provided additional one-time funding for civil legal aid organizations last year, sustained funding is crucial so that thousands of Mainers can continue to receive legal help that protects their homes, health, and families.
Maine’s budget is one of the most important ways we come together as a state–whether we live in Fort Kent or Kittery, whether we’re old or young, or whether we’re black, white, or brown. Next week, the legislature will have hearings to discuss what’s important to include in the budget bill–and Maine Equal Justice will be there with many community members! Stay tuned for the next steps.
