AUGUSTA –Workers with long commutes will see more money coming back from the state when they file their Maine income taxes if a bill passed by the Maine House of Representatives becomes law. House Majority Leader Erin Herbig, D-Belfast, is the sponsor of the measure.

“We often talk about lowering the cost of doing business in this chamber. What about lowering the burdens for our workforce and their families? This is a straightforward approach to supporting rural Maine workers,” said Herbig. “Now, more than ever, folks in rural Maine need to know we’re working to make their lives a little better in Augusta.”

According to the Department of Transportation, Mainers drove 14.5 billion miles overall in 2010. That number is expected to increase by 20 percent by 2030.

LD 947 supports employees with significant commutes by establishing a $1,000 income tax credit for an individual with a round-trip commute of at least 70 miles from their primary residence to primary place of employment and back.

“I proposed this bill so Maine businesses can expand their ability to attract and retain workers from larger geographic areas. And so workers are able to widen their job search to the rest of Maine while continuing to live in the communities they grew up in,” added Herbig. 

The bill faces further votes in the House and Senate in the coming days. 

House Majority Leader Erin Herbig is currently serving her fourth term in the Maine House of Representatives. She represents House District 97 which includes Belfast, Northport and Waldo.