Budget & Taxes (Government Spending)

LD 1013 requires Maine municipalities to hold a voter referendum before issuing bonds totaling $10 million or more. This directly affects all cities, towns, and local governments planning large-scale borrowing projects. The bill mandates that the referendum must be held on the first Tuesday in November, following existing procedures outlined in state law. It aims to give residents a direct vote on significant debt that could impact local taxes and public spending. The policy change applies to all municipal debt exceeding the $10 million threshold, not to smaller projects or existing bonds.

LD 1818 proposes a constitutional amendment to require voter approval for new taxes, increases to existing taxes (including income and property taxes), government spending increases exceeding inflation, and new debt. It would directly affect Maine voters and state/local governments by mandating public approval for these changes, except for spending increases that match inflation. The amendment would become part of Maine's Constitution if approved by voters in a statewide referendum. This change would alter how state and local governments fund operations and borrow money. The bill specifies that the Legislature must later create a statutory process to determine what constitutes "inflation" for spending increases.