The governor has proposed his two-year, nearly $7 billion state budget, and what’s his top priority? More tax cuts for the rich and less money for public schools and health care.

It’s the same old refrain from the governor’s previous budgets, while continuing to ignore the needs of the people. What’s missing from the governor’s budget? Anything resembling investment in our state’s people or its future.

As I talk to people throughout our area and our state, there is one thing I hear most often, do something about our rising property tax burden, yet the governor prioritizes income tax breaks not for most of us, but for those at the very top of the income scale and shifts more costs onto property taxpayers. Common sense tells us that’s not fair.

Senate and House Democrats in the Legislature could just say no, draw a line in the sand, and say we aren’t buying it. That would be the same obstructionist mentality that gets Congress nowhere. Instead, we presented our own plan —a positive, forward-thinking alternative to the governor’s budget. It’s called the Opportunity Agenda. 

Instead of giveaways to the wealthy, we focus on working-class Mainers and communities. We can provide the largest property tax relief program in Maine history. We can provide community college at zero cost to students. And we can back Maine’s innovators and small businesses so that they can put Mainers back to work. 

And we do it all with existing resources. That means we don’t propose a single new tax on Maine people or businesses.

With a focus on reducing the property tax burden, the Opportunity Agenda increases the Homestead exemption by $50 million, going from the current $20,000 exemption to $30,000. The governor’s budget actually eliminates the heavily used homestead exemption for anyone under the age of 65. Our plan expands the Property Tax Fairness Credit to more low- and middle-income homeowners. We increase revenue sharing, the money that goes back to municipalities for essentials like roads and police, by $64 million. This is money pumped directly back into our communities to fill budget gaps and keep property tax rates stable or even reduce them.

Funding the state’s share of education at the 55 percent rate isn’t just mandated by voters, but makes solid economic sense. Investing in the next generation means supporting high-quality education, while avoiding unnecessary cuts to teachers and classrooms. Our plan fully funds education, as voters demanded. The governor’s falls far short of that mark. What’s worse, he continues to shift more of the cost of education to the local level, putting pressure on property taxpayers and school districts that are already cash-strapped from rising costs and unfunded mandates.  

We provide funding to ensure every student has access to community college to begin their journey to success. Student loan debt is crippling my generation and this injection of $24 million would ensure more people can start, stay and complete a degree in our community colleges. 

There’s a lot more to the Opportunity Agenda too, including investments in health care, veterans, jobs and the economy. To read our full plan, you can visit my website at justinchenette.com.

We will also be taking our Opportunity Agenda on the road to present you with further details and hear directly from you, what your state budget priorities are. From 1 to 3 p.m. April 30 at Saco City Hall, our Saco legislative delegation will be holding a town hall style forum on our budget proposal and take your questions. Senate Minority Leader, Troy Jackson, will be our special guest as we walk through key proposals and get your feedback. Please make plans to come out and make your voices heard. This is a great opportunity to influence decisions that impact you and your families. 

The Opportunity Agenda is a transformational plan for Maine’s economy that pulls people together, instead of choosing winners and losers. It puts Maine families first, giving them the tools they need to build the future they deserve. We do it by lowering property taxes, making education attainable, promoting job growth and small business development. We can achieve this while rejecting unnecessary cuts and without raising additional taxes.

— State Sen. Justin Chenette represents Senate District 31, which includes Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Hollis, Limington and part of Buxton.