Dear Editor:

Maine Wire is reporting a predicted budget shortfall of $1.3 billion for the fiscal years ending 6/30/28 and 6/3/2029. This problem was created when the current legislature passed multiple budget bills with increased taxes to cover increased spending through year ending 6/30/27 (FY 2027). Those bills significantly increased costs beyond the projected revenue in future years through FY2028 and FY2029.

LD 609, An Act Making Certain Appropriations and Allocations and Changing Certain Provisions of Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government. On the House floor, the Motion on this bill for ENACTMENT prevailed with House Roll Call 47 on 3/20/25 with ten votes. 

LD 210, An Act Making Unified Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2025, June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027. On the House floor, the Motion on this bill for ENACTMENT prevailed with House Roll Call 583 on 6/18/25 with only one vote. 

LD 2212, An Act Making Supplemental Appropriations and Allocations from the General Fund and Other Funds for the Expenditures of State Government and Changing Certain Provisions of the Law Necessary to the Proper Operations of State Government for the Fiscal Years Ending June 30, 2026 and June 30, 2027.(Governor's Bill). On the House floor, the Motion on this bill for ENACTMENT prevailed with House Roll Call 791 on 4/8/26 with five votes. 

Along with the Democrat majority, Wayne Farrin voted YEA, in support of these bills. These bills increased spending on some program costs and balanced the current budget by increasing our taxes. 

The next administration, not yet elected, is already faced with a budget problem, generated by the current Democrat majority in the legislature and the current administration. The solution would require increased taxes and/or program cuts. The next governor will have to propose to the legislature a new balanced biennial budget that resolves the $1.3 billion shortfall. 

Edward J. Polewarczyk 

Wiscasset