Resolve, To Reduce State Valuation as a Result of the Closure of Georgia-Pacific Facilities

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 Georgia-Pacific Corporation has announced that it is shutting down its Old Town pulp and paper mill; and

Whereas,  the closure of the Georgia-Pacific facility may have an enormous impact on the City of Old Town; and

Whereas,  this legislation authorizes the City of Old Town, if it becomes necessary, to request a reduction in its state valuation; and

Whereas,  it is critically important to address this issue as soon as possible; 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. State valuation for City of Old Town. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the filing deadline set forth in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 208-A, the City of Old Town may request a reduction in its state valuation under Title 36, section 208-A for the year 2005 based on a reduction in value of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation facilities in the city; and be it further

Sec. 2. General purpose aid for local schools; Old Town. Resolved: That, notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 36, section 208-A, if the State Tax Assessor notifies the Commissioner of Education of an adjustment to the state valuation of the City of Old Town pursuant to section 1, the Commissioner of Education shall adjust the payments to the City of Old Town for general purpose aid for local schools as provided in this section. If any savings occurs in the fiscal year 2006-07 General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account, the appropriate amount of those savings must be applied to increase the Old Town school administrative unit's general purpose aid for local schools for 2006-07. If insufficient savings occur in the fiscal year 2006-07 General Purpose Aid for Local Schools account, the appropriate increase in the Old Town school administrative unit's general purpose aid for local schools for 2006-07 must be applied as an audit adjustment in 2007-08 general purpose aid for local schools.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve authorizes the City of Old Town to request a reduction in its state valuation as a result of a reduction in value of the Georgia-Pacific Corporation facility, and provides that the payments for general purpose aid for local schools to the city be adjusted to reflect such an adjustment in state valuation.