Jonathan Courtney

As a citizen Legislator from Springvale in the Maine Legislature, Jon Courtney was a strong advocate for creating jobs through reducing the tax burden in Maine. He has been a strong supporter of spending limitations at all levels of government in an effort to reduce local property tax. He has used his experience as a small business owner to bring common sense solutions to government.

Jon Courtney supported the Historic Preservation Tax Credit to help rejuvenate our Downtowns and had a companion bill signed by the Governor that will help pay for it through dedicating state revenues generated by these projects for future projects. He has been a strong supporter of alternative energy and was a co-sponsor on Gov. Baldacci’s solar initiative. Courtney has worked on many Veterans’ issues and was supportive of the expansion of the Veteran’s Homestead Exemption. In addition, at the request of Senator Courtney, the Governor declared August 2008 as “Agent Orange Awareness Month.” He also sponsored legislation that will permanently fund operations of the Springvale Veteran’s Cemetery.

He has also been a strong proponent of marketplace reforms in Maine’s healthcare system that would reduce the cost of healthcare and make health insurance more accessible. He has been an advocate for the Community College system and was part of a bipartisan York County delegation effort that helped retire the debt on the York County Community College.

In 2008, Senator Courtney was elected Assistant Republican Minority Leader and has worked tirelessly to forge bipartisan respectful debate while promoting the common sense solutions of his caucus. He was part of a leadership team that helped Republican’s take control of the Senate, House and Governor’s office for the first time in over 40 years.

Following his reelection in 2010, Courtney was chosen by his Republican colleagues to serve as Senate Majority Leader. He also served as the senate chair of the Joint Rules Committee, chair of the Taxation Committee, and Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Fairness and Reform.

Under his leadership, the Regulatory Fairness and Reform Committee unanimously approved landmark legislation to improve Maine’s regulatory environment. LD 1 – “An Act to Ensure Regulatory Fairness and Reform” – won broad bipartisan support with a 98% vote in the House and unanimous support in the Senate. As an emergency measure, LD 1 became public law immediately after Governor LePage signed it on June 13, 2011.

As Majority Leader Courtney ushered through the largest tax reduction in the history of Maine, as well has welfare, health insurance and state pension reforms. He has been an advocate for transparency in government and was involved in reforming the leadership of the Maine Turnpike Authority. He also sponsored legislation that brought accountability to the director of the Maine State Housing Authority. Courtney also lead the effort to pass legislation that would require a portion of future excess state revenues be used to reduce the income tax until the rate is reduced to 4%.

In 2012 Senator Courtney ran unsuccessfully for Congress against incumbent Chellie Pingree. He is currently running his business, Courtney Cleaners which he has been doing since 1985. He is also part owner in Courtney Holding’s Trust which is a real estate holding and development company. In early 2013 Jon Courtney started Courtney Policy Group, a public affairs company and recently was part of a team that is expanding dental access to children in Maine.

Jon Courtney is married and lives in Pownal, Maine. He is the father of three grown children. He has three step children and five grandchildren.