AUGUSTA — Republicans on the Legislature’s budget and taxation committees are calling for a public hearing in November on federal tax cuts signed by President Donald Trump in July.
The request follows a briefing last week in which state officials updated lawmakers on federal cuts to social service programs and the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, among other changes.
Earlier this month, Gov. Janet Mills delayed making a decision on whether Maine would conform to the federal tax changes, saying it should be up to lawmakers to decide.
Mills’ office estimated all the tax cuts could result in a $400 million hit to the state budget.
But this week, Rep. Amy Arata, R-New Gloucester, said information from Maine Revenue Services provides a more precise breakdown for cuts that total about $108 million.
That includes adopting a $750 increase in the standard deduction ($31 million), a new $6,000 deduction for seniors ($31 million), eliminating taxes on overtime ($28 million), eliminating taxes on tips ($9 million) and a deduction on car loan interest ($9 million).
The cuts are part of what Trump formerly called the One Big Beautiful Bill that he signed into law July 4.
“We should have called our Tax Committee back July 5 and had a special session right after that to give people an idea of what their taxes are going to be,” Arata said.
After last week’s meeting, Democrats released a statement saying they need more time to review the impact of all the federal changes, which in addition to tax cuts, include cuts to food stamp benefits, Medicaid and healthcare subsidies.
“The decisions ahead are complex and will require careful analysis,” Sen. Peggy Rotundo (D-Lewiston) and Rep. Drew Gattine (D-Westbrook) said in a statement. “We are committed to working with colleagues, agencies and stakeholders to understand the implications and take responsible steps to protect the health and economic stability of our state.”
While the federal bill has been criticized for cutting taxes for the wealthy, Arata said the provisions Maine Republicans are most focused on are designed to cut taxes for working Mainers and seniors.
“I think the general public needs to let their voices be heard,” she said. “We hear a lot from lobbyists. Regular working people, a lot of times they don’t have a lobbyist. They have to be their own lobbyist. They have to reach out to legislators and let them know how they feel.”
While influenza remains the top concern for Maine public health experts, other viruses are also currently circulating, including norovirus and COVID-19.
“Influenza is clearly the main event,” said Dr. Cheryl Liechty, a MaineHealth infectious disease specialist. “The curve in terms of the rise of influenza cases was really steep.”
Maine reported 1,343 flu cases for the week ending Jan. 3, an uptick from the 1,283 cases recorded the previous week, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalizations increased to 147 from 108 during the same time periods.
“I hope the peak is now,” Liechty said, “but I’m not really sure.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that all of New England, except for Vermont, is currently experiencing “very high” levels of influenza. Vermont is in the “moderate” category.
“What we are seeing, overwhelmingly, is the flu,” said Andrew Donovan, associate vice president of infection prevention for Northern Light Health. “We are seeing both respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in our patients.”
Norovirus also appears to be circulating, although due to its short duration and because it’s less severe than the flu, public health data on the illness — which causes gastrointestinal symptoms that typically resolve within a few days — is not as robust.
“Norovirus is the gastrointestinal scourge of New England winters and cruise ships,” Liechty said.
According to surveillance data at wastewater treatment plants in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston, norovirus levels detected in those communities are currently “high.” The treatment plants participate in WastewaterSCAN, which reports virus levels in wastewater through a program run by Stanford University and Emory University.
Dr. Genevieve Whiting, a Westbrook pediatrician and secretary of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said viruses are prevalent right now, especially the flu and norovirus.
“For my patients right now, it’s a rare encounter that I hear everyone in a family has been healthy,” Whiting said. “I’ve had families come in and say their entire family has had norovirus. Several of my patients have had ER visits for suspected norovirus, where they needed IV fluids because they were dehydrated.”
Both Liechty and Whiting said they are seeing less respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, likely because there has been good uptake of the new RSV vaccine, which is recommended for older people and those who are pregnant. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023.
“The RSV vaccine has been a real success, as RSV was a leading cause of hospitalizations for babies,” Whiting said.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases increased to 610 in the final week of 2025, compared to 279 the previous week. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at primary care, pharmacies and clinics across the state.
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet,” Liechty said, “you should beat a hasty path to get your shot.”
Defensemen Max Wanner was re-assigned to the Maine Mariners from the Providence Bruins on Thursday. Defenseman Michael Underwood was also re-assigned to Maine.
Wanner, 22, was acquired by the Boston Bruins when they traded Trent Federic to Edmonton last March. He played in 15 games for the AHL Providence Bruins at the end of last season, and seven this season.
Underwood returns for his second stint with the Mariners. He appeared in 67 games with Maine last season.
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