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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
BerryBlog #30
Representative Berry gains unanimous committee approval for TIF
legislation
AUGUSTA - Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, worked with members of the Business, Research, and Economic
Development committee last Wednesday to gain unanimous approval for LD 1469, "Resolve, to Enhance Accountability in Tax Increment
Financing."
Rep. Berry began work on the issue after reading the Department of Economic and Community Development's
October 1, 2006 report on municipal Tax Increment Financing (TIFS) and e-TIFs.
"My goal with this legislation is simple,
said Berry. To help the State understand the return on investment our various TIF arrangements are achieving here in Maine,
and how we can improve this return on investment (ROI) going forward"
The bill seeks to increase accountability in
approving Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects, which offer tax refunds to businesses for specific economic development
ventures. Berry's bill would require the Department of Economic and Community Development to review the TIF process and report
back to the Business, Research, and Economic Development committee next year. The committee will have the authority
to introduce legislation related to the findings of the report.
"This bill will make it possible for the department,
the Legislature, and the people of Maine to ask questions and receive answers about job creation, smart growth, sprawl, and
sustainable economic and community development that has not been available to us yet. I believe that by providing the
grounds for an ongoing, annual discussion of TIF-related questions by the relevant committee members, a DECD presentation
on these issues might help us move forward in our search for comprehensive and dependable answers."
Christopher St.
John of the Maine Center for Economic Policy, a non-partisan organization that advances public policies that help Maine people
prosper in a strong, fair and sustainable economy, expressed support for the bill.
"I really commend Representative
Berry, the Department, and the Business Research and Economic Development Committee for highlighting the need for accountability
and transparency in the TIF process. We should always be able to see that these arrangements are investments in real
and sustainable jobs in Maine's communities."
"The reporting and accountability requirements of LD 1469 are
right on track," said Greg LeRoy, of Good Jobs First based in Washington, DC. Good Jobs First promotes corporate and
government accountability in economic development and smart growth for working families.
The legislation is just one
of several bills sponsored by Democrats in the Maine House that are shaping an economic development agenda with a focus on
prosperity and sustainability. The Democratic proposals encourage growth; lower the cost of doing business, especially for
small businesses; and ensure the best return on investments.
The bill now will move to the entire House for further
consideration.
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Click on above dates for archived BerryBlogs
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HOW BAD IS IT, DOC? -- NY Times Interactive Map of State Budget Shortfalls in the U.S.
Note: most states have major budget shortfalls. Those that do not are largely states with strong fossil
fuel (TX, AK, WY, WV) or food (IN, SD, OR, WA) based economies.
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| Bowdoinham's Steen Farm is for sale , protected by ME Farmland Trust. Click for Press Herald story. |
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| Seth and his son at a new wind farm in Maine |
| HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS |
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| Cpl. Cory McCollet of Bowdoin returned home in May from Iraq, & was reunited with daughter Isabella |
As your State Representative, I use this site as another way to keep
you informed and to hear from you. I believe strong communication and a willingness to
work across party lines are critical as we work to move Maine forward.
The BerryBlog is published at least twice a month when
the Legislature is in session. To read previous postings, please click on the archive dates below the current message.
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| Rep. Berry receives the annual Healthy Air Award from the American Lung Association |
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| Rep. Berry receives award from Major Hatt of the Maine National Guard |
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| Representatives Standing Up for Children |
National Debt Clock (over $140,000 per family... and rising)
Public Hearings This Week
How To Testify at Hearings
| BASIC HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT -- NOT A PRIVILEGE |
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| Speaking to Richmond elders on schools, health care and tax fairness (see Seth in the News, 3/5/07). |
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