Winter Update 2015 Leading the Way for Maine Retirees PROPOSED STATE OF MAINE BUDGET 2016-2017 MAR Winter Update Governor LePage has introduced his proposed The 127th Maine Legislature will be Published Quarterly Biennial Budget to the 127th Maine Legislature. reviewing the entire budget and vote, both in February, 2015 The proposed budget covers the entire state the Maine House of Representatives and the government operations, programs and benefits. Maine Senate, on the items. The entire proposed Maine Association of Retirees, Inc. The breakdown of projected appropriations is: budget and the budget briefing can be viewed at 280 Maine Avenue Total Education ..................................... 43.7% http://www.maine.gov/budget/budgeting/ Farmingdale, ME 04344 Dept. of Health and Human Services .... 34.8% If you are interested in contacting your Telephone: (207) 582-1960 Debt Services ........................................... 4.0% Representative or Senator, you can locate 1-800-535-6555 Judicial .................................................... 2.0% them at http://www.legislature.maine.gov. FAX (207) 582-4764 In addition to your Maine Legislator, Legislature .............................................. 1.0% Office Hours: Tax Expenditures .................................... 1.0% nineteen of your fellow MAR members are current members of the 127th Maine 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ................... 1.0% Monday-Thursday Remaining State Agencies ..................... 14.0% Legislature. They are: The majority of funding for State services Rep. Robert W. Alley, Sr., Beal Email: come from Sales and Use Taxes (41%), Individual Rep. Christopher W. Babbidge, Kennebunk mar@ne.twcbc.com Income Tax (35%), Corporate Income Tax (5%) Rep. Kevin J. Battle, South Portland Web Site and Cigarette & Tobacco Tax (4%). Rep. Donna R. Doore, Augusta www.maineretirees.org MAR has reviewed the proposal and has Rep. Paul E. Gilbert, Jay summarized the portions with financial impact Rep. George W. Hogan, Old Orchard Beach MAR STAFF on Public Service Retirees into two categories: Barbara J. Van Burgel Rep. Michel A. Lajoie, Lewiston Adjustments to the Maine Tax Code and Other Executive Director Adjustments. Rep. Joyce A. Maker, Calais ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MAINE TAX CODE Rep. John L. Martin, Eagle Lake Joseph Pietroski • Reduces Individual and Corporate Income Rep. Roland D. Martin, Sinclair Township Legislative & Financial Program Tax Rates; Rep. Richard A. Pickett, East Dixfield Mgr. • Eliminates numerous Sales Tax Exemptions; Rep. Thomas H. Skolfield, Weld Diane Bailey • Increases the Sales Tax Rate; Rep. Paul A. Stearns, Guilford Office Manager • Reduces the current tax on restaurant meals Rep. Ralph L. Tucker, Brunswick from 8% to 6.5%; Maxine Gorten Senator Linda Baker, Topsham • Eliminates the Maine Estate Tax; Membership Coordinator • Reduces Taxes on Pensions and eliminated Senator Scott Cyrway, Waterville income taxes on (military) Veteran pensions; Senator Paul Davis, Sangerville Sally Morrissey • Phases out the Business Equipment Tax Senator William Diamond, Windham Membership Assistant Rebate Program; and Senator Peter Edgecomb, Caribou • Allows cities and towns to tax non-profit Louise Reed organization properties worth more than These Legislators/MAR members bios and Membership Assistant $500,000. pictures can be obtained at the MAR website: www.maineretirees.org Patty Castonguay OTHER ADJUSTMENTS As the budget items are being considered Benefits Specialist • Eliminates Municipal Revenue Sharing; at the Maine Legislature, MAR is interested in • Reduces funding to Medicaid “Drugs for the proposals you support or do not support. Muriel Blethen-temporary Maine’s Elderly” program; You can provide us your opinion by emailing Staff Assistant • Flat funds General Purpose Aid for Local us at mar@ne.twcbc.com or call us at (207) TOTAL MAR MEMBERSHIP Schools; 582-1960. • Provides increased funding for Higher 14,921 Education (University of Maine); and Delta Dental Participants • Changes the formula for reimbursing 4,876 municipalities for General Assistance. 2 MAR Fall 2015 BITS AND PIECES • Making Sense of Your Medicare Statements These can be confusing and difficult to read since the type MAR Business Office: Our normal office hours are of statement you receive about your health benefits Monday through Thursday 9:00am through 4:00pm. We depends on your Medicare coverage. It is important to are closed on all holidays. In the event of inclement weather, review these statements whenever you receive them to please check to see if MSAD 11 has been cancelled or keep track of what you may owe for your health and delayed, the MAR business office will be closed. Please call drug benefits and to protect yourself from Medicare ahead to make sure we are open before you make the trip in fraud. They contain important information about inclement weather! costs and coverage of medical care and prescription • Scheduled Office Closings Patriots Day, Monday, April drugs. Due to limited space in this edition of the 20, 2015. You will be able to leave us a message on the newsletter, MAR has placed this valuable information telephone or email. We will contact you on the next on our website at www.maineretirees.org to help you MAR business day. understand your Medicare Summary Notice. If you do • Need Help WIith Your Taxes? CA$H Maine is a not have a computer, and would like to receive a paper collaboration of ten statewide coalitions, comprised of copy or have questions about this information, please 50 non- and for-profit partners, working together to contact our office at (207)582-1960. help low- and moderate-income Mainers make the most of their money. CA$H Maine offers free tax preparation to qualified filers. CA$H Maine has multiple locations. Call 873-7700 or 1-888-392-4636 to schedule an VOLUNTEER Opportunities appointment or to get more information. • Portland Observatory Museum Docents Program • MAR Will Be Hosting a Hall of Flags Reception for is in need of volunteers! Standing on Munjoy Hill the Legislature on April 7th This is our opportunity since 1807, the Observatory is the last marine signal to showcase the assets that MAR brings to the State Of tower in the United States, and is a National Historic Maine. Keep checking our website www.maineretirees. Landmark. Portland History Docents Class starts March org for the latest updates on items that may impact you! 5, 2015. If interested, give them a call at 207-774- • NEW Member Benefit AUGUSTA FLORIST, 118 Mt. 5561 ext. 120 and leave a voicemail. Or email Marjorie Vernon Ave., Augusta, ME 04330 - MAR members Getz, Volunteer Program Coordinator at: volunteer@ will receive 10% off cut flowers and arrangements. portlandlandmarks.org. Must show your MAR membership card at the time • SeniorsPlus in Lewiston Looking for volunteers in of purchase. This offer is not available for telephone the following areas: orders. - LunchPlus Café dining site volunteers in Lisbon, • Sam’s Club Member Benefit Change effective Lewiston, Auburn and Rumford 1/31/2015. MAR members must renew or apply for - Meals on Wheels drivers for Tuesdays Sam’s membership directly through the MAR office - Meals on Wheels distribution support Monday thru in order to get the gift card. MAR will deal directly Thursday from 7:00am to 9:30am with one representative from Sam’s Club. More details If you would like to become a volunteer or have questions, to follow on our web site, or call the MAR office for please contact Christiane Cornish, at (207)513-3707, or information. e-mail her at ccornish@seniorsplus.org • MAR’S ANNUAL MEETING. Mark the date! The • AniMeals – Meals on Wheels for Pets The AniMeals Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 27, program began about 10 years ago after learning that 2015 at the Augusta Civic Center. We are planning an some seniors did not have enough money to feed their informative/social day with lots of door prizes. There pets and were sharing their Meals on Wheels. If you will be a book exchange table again so please save those would like to donate unopened dry cat and dog food, books that you’ve read. We hope to see you there. make a financial donation or become a volunteer, • Maine Coalition on Aging Released the mid-year contact Lynda Johnson at 626-7777 or by e-mail at report on Maine Aging Initiative. Details of the report ljohnson@spectrumgenerations.org. can be found at: http:www.mainecouncilonaging.org/ aginginitiative.php • 3DCatering Supports the Eastern Area Agency on Aging and provides Meals on Wheels in Penobscot, BJ’S OPEN ENROLLMENT Piscataquis, Washington and Hancock counties. In Our BJ’s Open Enrollment begins on 03/01/2015 and ends addition to their basic fare they can also cater to your on 03/14/2015. You can choose from 2 ways to save! An specific needs as they also prepare delicious low sodium, Inner Circle Membership is available for $40.00 (a $10.00 pureed and gluten free meals. There are no income savings!) or a 2% Payback BJ’s Rewards Membership is guideline and no age requirements. Meals come in available for $80.00 (a $20.00 savings!) Both memberships packs of 5 and cost $4.00 each. Each 5 pack of meals include 3 FREE BONUS months! comes with: 5 rolls, 5 pats of butter, 5 desserts and a If you have e-mail, you can write to us to request a link to quart of 2% milk. Call the Eastern Maine Area Agency the on-line application. Our e-mail address is: mar@ne.twcbc. on Aging at 1-800-432-7812. com. If you need an application mailed to you, please call 3 MAR Fall 2015 us at 582-1960 or 1-800-535-6555. Only the applications FEDERAL LEGISLATION INTRODUCED TO submitted after March 1st or before March 14th will be REPEAL THE SOCIAL SECURITY WINDFALL accepted by BJ’s. ELIMINATION PROVISION H.R.