The Maine Islands Coalition met for the fifth time on Feb. 4 in Rockland. Residents of Cliff, Long Island, Great Diamond, Peaks, Vinalhaven, North Haven, Islesboro, Monhegan, Matinicus, Swan’s Island and the Cranberry Isles attended, along with Rep. Hannah Pingree (D-North Haven).
The meeting focused on the tax bill passed recently by the legislature. Rep. Pingree gave an overview the property tax package, which includes an increase in the homestead exemption and circuit breaker programs.
Rep. Pingree reported that the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) formula for educational funding is still under development. While island schools will receive more funding for special education, EPS does not take into account the cost of operating small schools, a cause for concern among island communities. Schools in these areas will see a drop in educational funding because of high property valuations.
LD 2, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the taxable value of homestead properties, passed the Maine House but failed to pass the Maine Senate by two votes. LD 2 would provide tax relief to year-round island residents faced with escalating property tax valuations. Rep. Pingree urged the Coalition to lobby their elected State representatives to support this bill. The coalition voted to support LD 2 as a tax reform measure to support island communities.
Rep. Pingree asked the Maine Islands Coalition to lobby to support bills proposed this session to establish a local real estate transfer tax to generate revenues for open space and affordable housing.
The Coalition’s Affordable Housing subcommittee reported on their task of developing an islands cost of living study, an effort to quantify the disparity between income, the cost of goods, and the real estate market on islands. The subcommittee plans to organize existing data and collect additional data as needed to create a State of the Islands Housing Report that focuses on preservation of place and demonstrates the need for affordable housing on islands. Such a report would help island communities to raise funds from private foundations to support their affordable housing efforts.
Other issues discussed at the meeting include: public safety issues with ATV’s; high speed internet access on islands; the disposal of junk cars; coalition organization and communication; golf cart insurance, including a motion by the coalition to encourage the State Insurance Commissioner to ensure insurance is available to island golf cart owners; and developing a communication piece for the coalition, such as an annual newsletter or a report, for outreach and as a tool to help the Coalition focus their policy efforts.
The Maine Islands Coalition meets quarterly, the first Friday of the month. Upcoming meetings are scheduled for May 6, Aug. 5 and Nov. 4 at the Island Institute in Rockland. Meeting minutes and a list of island representatives are posted at www.islandinstitute.org/islandscoalition. For more information about the Maine Islands Coalition, contact Chairman Roger Berle at 781-5331 or rkberle@msn.com.