Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Apr. 22 about the closure of Taxpayer Assistance Centers in Maine and ongoing efforts to address illegal marijuana grow houses in the state.
The discussion took place during a hearing reviewing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Department of Treasury. The topic is important because many seniors in rural Maine rely on local Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) for help with tax matters, and recent closures have left only one center operating in Portland. Collins said these closures force residents from towns like Caribou to travel over ten hours round trip for in-person service, which is especially difficult given Maine’s aging population and limited internet access.
“Along with other members of the Maine delegation, I sent you a letter last month opposing the closures of two Taxpayer Assistance Centers, one in Bangor, Maine, one in Augusta, Maine,” Collins said. She added that she had met with the state’s Taxpayer Advocate who also expressed concern about reduced customer service. In response, Bessent said: “I have instructed the IRS to look into this, and we will be getting back to you… We will get back to you and we will remedy this 10-hour problem. So, thank you for bringing it to our attention. We look forward to working with you.”
Collins also addressed another issue affecting her state: “We have been the location for literally hundreds of illegal marijuana grow houses that are linked to transnational criminal organizations based in China.” She called for more federal assistance as law enforcement continues efforts against these operations connected to money laundering and drug trafficking.
Bessent responded: “Since you brought this to our attention last year, IRS criminal investigations and FinCEN are both involved in supporting local law enforcement… We want to help local law enforcement dismantle these money laundering operations.” He committed personally to further investigation into how his department can assist.
The Senate Appropriations Committee plays a central role by overseeing federal expenditures as mandated by law according to its official website. The committee manages legislation related to federal funding and conducts hearings on spending proposals according to its official website. It has included figures such as Lot Morrill of Maine among its early chairmen according to its official website.
Through oversight of budgets and programs—including issues involving trade or international affairs—the committee has influenced federal spending according to its official website. Its authority comes from the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that funds be drawn from the treasury only through appropriations made by law according to its official website, producing bills such as Homeland Security Appropriations Act according to its official website.
Looking ahead, Bessent said he would work closely with Collins regarding both taxpayer services for rural Mainers and support against illicit activity tied to organized crime.
