Payday at the mill
How sophisticated financiers used a Maine investment program they devised to wring millions of dollars in risk-free returns at taxpayer expense.
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Part II: Shrewd financiers exploit unsophisticated Maine legislators on taxpayers' dime
As it has in other states, a flawed investment program thrives in Maine despite negligible returns for the low-income communities it is meant to benefit.
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Payments flowed in attempt to create tax credit program
Investors and their partnerships funneled $46,000 into lobbying and political campaign contributions for Maine legislators and the governor.
The Great Northern tax deal: where $40 million went

Database: New Markets political contributions
Organizations that have a stake in Maine’s New Markets tax credit program paid Maine legislators nearly $16,000 in campaign contributions since 2011.
Browse a database of the payments here.
Video: Payday at the mill
Related stories: Augusta reacts
Related: from the opinion pages
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Our View: Governor should stand up to exploitative ‘investors’
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Letter to the editor: Mill ‘shenanigans’ not the first Maine has encountered
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Alan Caron: Great Northern mill tax scam is just the tip of the iceberg
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Commentary: Series overlooks gains from tax credit program, Maine’s economic development chief says