By Joel Theriault

Opportunity Maine campaigners returned to USM on Oct. 1 to unveil the Opportunity Maine tax credit card, a form of identification for recent college graduates enrolled in the newly established program and a physical reminder to sign up for the tax credit in January, when it becomes effective by law. The organization brought three Maine governors to the Abromson Community Education Center in Portland to help get the word out.

Opportunity Maine began in 2006 as citizen’s initiative campaign spearheaded by then-student body president Andrew Bossie, the programs director. Their proposed bill, unanimously approved by the State House June 29, offers a tax credit each year for up to 10 years to help battle loan debt for Maine college graduates. The only stipulations are that the student must have graduated from a Maine school and remain a resident while claiming the tax credit.

The group was made up of college students and supporters from organizations like the League of Young Voters and MainePIRG who wanted to make their mission law.

The tax credit card, in addition to showing a graduates status in the program, will also provide discounts at select Maine businesses.

Governor John Baldacci and two former Maine governors, Angus King and John McKernan, each spoke at the press conference, relating what important aspect of higher education they felt most strongly about and what Opportunity Maine could do for the state.

“I’m very proud to have this signature effort and to be here with these two governors,” said Baldacci, “because I couldn’t think of a better group to say, ‘We support this effort.’” Baldacci also made reference to an education bond bill designed to foster research and development in Maine colleges, and the possibility of doubling the initial deposits of NexGEN accounts, a State-supported savings account for a child’s college education that begins at birth.

“The best thing I could say about this idea is, ‘I wish I’d thought of it,’ said King. “I think it is an absolutely sensational idea, it makes sense. It will pay back the treasury because people will be staying here, creating economic opportunity, eventually paying taxes once the credits are used up and that’s going to benefit Maine.”

“As the Maine economy grows,” he continued, “then we can all participate.”

McKernan said he was disappointed when he realized programs he incorporated while he was governor were not enough to ensure Maine students could access the necessary finances to go to college.

“The State pledged every student that whatever school they could get into, whatever they would like to be, the state of Maine would take on the task of ensuring they could find the financial resources necessary to achieve their dreams.

“Over the last 10 years, 80 percent of the jobs that have been created in this country have required an associate’s degree or higher,” he continued. “There is a burgeoning skills gap in this country that’s going to affect our standard of living if we don’t get more people more education.”

After the conference, Baldacci said, “This is going to be Maine’s signature program.”

By Dave Choate

Fighting “brain drain” in Maine can be a pain. With a new law in place to give tax credits to college students who stay in the state to live and work after graduation, Gov. John Baldacci and Maine officials are hopeful they can give the best and brightest some incentive to stick around.

The new law was originally conceived by Opportunity Maine, a citizens’ initiative made up of student and community leaders around the state. They brought the tax credit proposal to the state Legislature, where it garnered enough support to pass and end up in the hands of Baldacci.

Department of Education higher education specialist Harry Osgood said students who receive associate’s or baccalaureate degrees from a Maine college will be eligible starting Jan. 1. The tax credits will be based on time spent in college, so incoming freshmen in 2008 will have their entire load of educational loans credited under the plan.

Osgood said businesses will be able to assume the cost of an employee’s loans to get the credit, which will directly reduce the amount of income tax paid.

Out-of-state students who sign a contract saying they would like to stay in Maine after receiving education at a Maine school will also be eligible for the plan.

“The goal here is to make it possible for those who really want to stay in Maine to stay in Maine. We traditionally have had an economy tied to woodlands, open sea and manufacturing, but one of the goals is to overcome those traditions and transform our economy,” Osgood said.

He noted that Maine ranks last of the six New England states in terms of college attainment. A more educated work force will help not only Maine companies, but also the Maine college system, he said.

Maine Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said the tax credits will help make colleges in the state affordable.

Fortman also rejected the idea that Maine is suffering from “brain drain,” or an exodus of students and workers. She cited a 1998 Finance Authority of Maine study that found more than two-thirds of college graduates stayed in Maine or returned a few years later.

“The mythology that’s out there is that people are leaving Maine, but when we started looking at the data, we discovered it generally doesn’t support that. This is just another step in focusing on making sure everyone in Maine has an opportunity to pursue higher education,” Fortman said.

The bill was signed into law Oct. 1. Gov. Baldacci said he hopes that Opportunity Maine’s newest chance will be one embraced by those it will affect.

Reaction to the law and staying in Maine was mixed among students interviewed at Traip Academy in Kittery.

“I still wouldn’t want to stay here long term,” freshman Carley O’Brien said. “I plan on going into the Peace Corps after school.”

Freshman Caroline Kuliga said she plans to stay in Maine and is thrilled the law might make things easier.

“I love Maine and it would be great if I had less taxes to worry about,” she said.

For junior Chris Tobey, lobstering is in his future and is proof the old industries have not faded out in Maine.

“(The tax credits are) interesting, but I’m not thinking about it because I have a career in lobstering. Maybe if my industry failed I’d go to college,” he said.

Opportunity Maine launches today with an official ceremony at 3 p.m. at USM.

Beginning in January 2008, every Maine student who graduates from a Maine college and stays in Maine to live and work and enrolls in the program will get a large tax credit to help pay their student loans each year for the life of the loan.

The launch at the USM Abromson Center features Gov. John Baldacci and former Governors Angus King and John McKernan.