Economics & Demographics Program

LD 1 PROGRESS REPORT – 2008

In January 2005, Governor John E. Baldacci signed into law LD 1: An Act to Increase the State Share of Education Costs, Reduce Property Taxes and Reduce Government Spending at All Levels. LD 1’s goal is to lower Maine’s state and local tax burden ranking to the middle one-third of states by 2015.

Each year, the State Planning Office reports on the progress made by Maine’s state, county, and municipal governments, and its school administrative units, in reducing Maine’s tax burden.

Since 2005, the State and most county and municipal governments have stayed within their LD 1 limits. In 2008, there were two notable exceptions to this trend. First, the few counties exceeding their LD 1 limits cite jail costs as the reason. Second, while the growth of total school appropriations has moderated, fully 88% of school units exceeded their individual limits.

Making the most of opportunities to reduce Maine’s tax burden will require vigilance. In its fourth year, we find that LD 1 is pointing Maine in the right direction by highlighting areas for improvement.

Martha Freeman, Director, State Planning Office
Michael LeVert, State Economist

LD1 Progress Report 2008

Summary (PDF 274KB)
Full Report (PDF 140KB)
Updated Tax Burden Analysis for the LD1 Report (PDF 90KB)

LD1 Progress Report 2007

Summary (PDF 611KB)
Full Report (PDF 241KB)
Maine Revenue Services Estimated Change in Tax Burden (PDF 36KB)

LD1 Progress Report - 2006

Summary (PDF 644KB)
Full Report (PDF 277KB)
Maine Revenue Services Estimated Property Tax Impact of LD 1 (PDF 56KB)

LD1 Progress Report - 2005

Summary (PDF 1.1MB)
Full Report (PDF 206KB)