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Maine Passes Legislation Starting in January of 2008, Maine will pay its college graduates to remain in the state. With roughly 50 percent of Maine college graduates leaving the state with their degrees, it was in Governor John Baldacci’s, and by extension the entire state’s, best interest to sign this new bill. The legislation, titled “Opportunity Maine,” allots 10 years of annual state tax credits for Maine residents who graduate and remain in the state; four-year college graduates are eligible for roughly $2,100 and graduates of two-year institutions for $1,000. Proponents of the legislation say that Opportunity Maine’s projected $50 million cost over the next 10-15 years will end up paying for itself; it passed unanimously in the state House and 27-8 in the Senate. It is only the sixth time in Maine’s history that a citizen’s group initiative has successfully passed through the legislature. In this case, that the citizen’s group comprised young college graduates. Now they have made state history. Although the bill was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, some remain skeptical about its benefits. Read responses to the bill: Find out more about the initiative:
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