EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS—

Governor J. Baldacci     The Governor talks candidly about the Trade Mission to Asia and how important trade missions are for business in the global economy.

Victoria Rowell        author/actress/activist talks about growing up on a Maine farm, her best selling book and how she wishes it to be ‘made in Maine.’

Congressman Michaud  The U.S. Representative talks in detail about how his Northern Commission will infuse the region with funds for economic growth

Speaker Cummings Maine’s House Speaker talks about the importance of consolidation, education and the challenges of the 123’rd legislative session

MAINE VOICES—

The State of the State Highlights of Governor Baldacci’s 2008 address

Rep.Tom Allen                   talks about lifting up the middle class

Working together           to help the state grow by Ramona du Houx

Economic fallout           because of Bush policies by Eric Mehnert

Mainers preserve ME They take our cultural heritage to heart by Ramona du Houx

MAINE INITIATIVES—

Quality Place Council Recommendations for action to preserve historic downtowns and natural places of beauty

Budget kept in balance Gov. takes action to protect state from possible recession with curtailment & suplemental budget proposal

Economic Council Bringing together business leaders for economic growth

MAINE AS 'ONE COMMUNITY' NEWS—

Alfond’s $500 gift         For every baby born in Maine to go to college

Protecting Mainers      From high oil and gas prices —UPDATE:    8.8 million emergency LIHEAP funds released for ME – Jan 16

LURC                        Maine’s Land Use and Regulatory Commission

BUSINESS NEWS—

Pine Tree Zones           Working for Maine’s workforce

Wind power                 Stetson MT. wind project approved with special TIF benifits

Alternative Manufacturing              High-tech global economy business in Winthrop

Kennebec Lumber Quality wood products co. sells products around the world

Trade Mission to Asia

BOOKS —

Above the Gravel Bar- Native Canoe Routes of Maine The author writes an essay about the wonders of the canoe

Please comment on any article, refer to which article in your email, and it will be posted on that article's page.    email: duhoux2@tds.net

Statistical information in this publication is obtained from state agencies and government offices.

All photographs, articles, and layout are by Ramona du Houx unless otherwise indicated.

Not authorized by any candidate, candidate’s committee, or the Maine Democratic Party

"Families are struggling with the costs of supporting young children, college bound teenagers and aging grandparents. With well paying jobs with good benefits becoming harder to find, parents are forced to work longer hours while spending less time with their families. Working families who once felt comfortably middle class and could focus on increasing their prosperity through education, entrepreneurship, and investment now face fears that their financial security could be threatened by just one severe illness or a small increase in mortgage interest rates.

The Middle Class Opportunity Act -
Rep. Tom Allen has introduced the Middle Class Opportunity Act (H.R. 2902), a bill to help hard working families in Maine and around the country. H.R. 2902 would:
•    Increase the Child Tax Credit for the First Year: The bill would double the tax credit for a child for the first year it is claimed (usually the year of a child’s birth or the first year an adopted child is in the household), from $1,000 to $2,000. The credit would begin to phase out at incomes of $110,000 for joint returns.
•    Expand the Dependent Care Credit: The income threshold for the phase out of the dependent care tax credit would begin at $75,000 rather than the current $43,000. Therefore, the full credit—35 percent of qualified expenses—would be available to families making up to $75,000. The legislation also expands the dependent care credit to include not only care for children and dependent parents living with the taxpayer, but also care for incapacitated parents or grandparents who do not reside with the taxpayer.
•    Create an Education Tax Credit: The bill would combine three existing education tax incentives (the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits and the college tuition tax deduction) into one simple, easy to understand Education Tax Credit for higher education. This credit would be available for up to $2,500 per student, with up to three students eligible per household, and would cover expenses for tuition, fees, and textbooks. The credit would begin to phase out at incomes of $140,000 for joint returns.
•    Relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT): In 2006, about 4 million taxpayers paid the AMT, a tax established decades ago to ensure that very high income households paid at least some tax, but which is hitting more Americans each year because it is not indexed for inflation. If a remedy is not put in place for 2007, 19 million additional taxpayers will have to pay the AMT. According to the Maine Taxpayer Advocate, in 2005, 54 taxpayers in Maine making between $30,000 and $50,000 paid the AMT, along with 249 taxpayers with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000. If Congress does not fix the AMT, far more 23 million middle income families in America, including more than 71,000 in Maine, will pay higher taxes because of the AMT. H.R. 2902 would provide AMT relief for 2007 and 2008, giving Congress time to craft a permanent fix for this problem.