H.P. 1593 - L.D. 2241
Resolve, to Modify the State Valuation for the City of Westbrook and the Town of Livermore Falls for Purposes of Education Funding
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, the value of property within a municipality has a strong effect on the calculation of school appropriations; and
Whereas, the City of Westbrook derives a large portion of its tax valuation from the presence of the former S.D. Warren plant, now owned by Sappi Fine Paper North America; and
Whereas, Sappi Fine Paper North America has recently announced the closure of its pulp mill and a machine that makes coated base paper at the facility in the City of Westbrook; and
Whereas, not only will this closure adversely affect approximately 315 employees, but also the property valuation of the plant has decreased immensely, causing a decrease in property tax revenues for the City of Westbrook; and
Whereas, unless immediate action is taken to account for this decrease in valuation, the City of Westbrook will also suffer through the loss of significant revenues based on the decreased valuation of the Sappi Fine Paper North America plant; and
Whereas, the Town of Livermore Falls derives a large portion of its tax valuation from the presence of the property of Northeast Empire Limited Partnership; and
Whereas, the Town of Livermore Falls has granted an abatement to Northeast Empire Limited Partnership that results in a substantial loss in tax base for the 1999 tax year; and
Whereas, this situation results in a significant and unanticipated burden on the property taxpayers in the Town of Livermore Falls, especially with regard to education funding; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it
Sec. 1. Modify 1999 state valuations. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, the 1999 state valuation for the City of Westbrook, for the purposes of calculating school appropriations, must be based on a valuation that values the property of Sappi Fine Paper North America in the City of Westbrook at $140,000,000; and be it further
Sec. 2. Modify 1999 state valuations. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, the 1999 state valuation for the Town of Livermore Falls, for the purposes of calculating school appropriations, must be based on a valuation that values the property of Northeast Empire Limited Partnership in the Town of Livermore Falls at $23,809,523; and be it further
Sec. 3. Transfer. Resolved: That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, at the close of fiscal year 1998-99, the State Controller shall transfer to the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account in the Department of Education from the available balance in the General Fund after the deduction of all appropriations, financial commitments or other designated funds an amount up to $795,100 of lapsed balances from the amounts appropriated from the General Fund in fiscal year 1998-99 for the All Other line category. The amount transferred represents the additional school subsidy amounts that result from reducing the state valuation of certain property for the purpose of calculating school subsidy and includes $705,121 for the City of Westbrook and $89,979 for the Town of Livermore Falls.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.
Effective June 17, 1999.
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