New Taxes could Drive up the Cost of Conservation in Maine

Maine trails only three states in total acreage of land protected by conservation. A new plan to end the property tax exemptions for nonprofits, however, could make that work much more difficult.

1 minute read

January 25, 2015, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

"A key provision in [Maine] Gov. Paul LePage’s state budget proposal could result in municipalities taxing conservation lands owned by private land trusts across the state," reports Kevin Miller and Steve Mistler.

According to the article, the proposal "would eliminate the full property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that own property in a locality with an assessed value of $500,000 or more."

The article includes quotes from leaders of organizations like the Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the Trust for Public Land, who express understandable concern that Maine's tradition of land conservation will be put at risk by the new tax scheme.

FULL STORY: Plan to tax nonprofits could be costly to Maine’s land-conservation trusts

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 in Portland Press Herald

Land Use Maine Conservation Maine Coast Heritage Trust Trust for Public Land Gov. Paul LePage State Budgets Property Tax View More

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