State House debate continues on tax relief

AUGUSTA – Sporadic talks continue among ranking lawmakers but speculation over the likelihood of another special session devoted to tax relief initiatives or new state borrowing still covers the waterfront.

The yes, no and maybe conventional wisdom may reflect a fractiousness that marked State House relations when lawmakers adjourned April 30.

A Democratic House caucus is planned next week, and Majority Leader John Richardson, D-Brunswick, says that could provide an updated sounding of rank-and-file concerns and desires.

Since lawmakers went home, state voters approved an education funding referendum billed by its advocates as a property tax relief measure. A tax cap measure has been cleared for ballots in November.

“I want to put the caucus together and have them talk about whether this offers an opportunity for consensus,” says Richardson, who on Wednesday recounted talking with House Minority Leader Joe Bruno, R-Raymond, a day earlier.

Bruno and Senate President Beverly Daggett, D-Augusta, also have talked.

Democrats have effectively controlled the Maine House of Representatives for three decades and already majority lawmakers seeking re-election are jockeying for leadership posts in the next session.

Richardson and more recently, Rep. Ben Dudley, D-Portland, have been eyeing the speaker’s post in the event Democrats retain a House majority. Mentioned as potential candidates for the majority leader post are Reps. Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, and Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor.

For now, though, it remains unclear whether the sitting Legislature is done with its efforts to further address tax relief and additional borrowing.

“I’m trying to reach out,” Richardson says. “I don’t want to take too many steps in front of the caucus and fail to understand where their sentiment lies.”

Legislative candidate slates won’t firm for another month or so, giving time for filers to date to drop out and be replaced.