LEWISTON – Gov. John E. Baldacci will join Lewiston Council President Renee Bernier and Auburn Mayor Normand W. Guay in encouraging residents to “Take the Money; You’ve Earned It” on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The media event will occur at 9:30 a.m. in the Lewiston Council Chambers, 27 Pine St.

The message is part of the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition’s annual initiative to promote the Earned Income Tax Credit, a federal benefit aimed at assisting low and middle income workers increase their financial stability. The benefit is intended to reduce the tax burden on those workers’ supplement wages and assist in the welfare-to-work transition.

Workers who complete a 2005 tax return may be eligible for up to a $4,400 tax credit in addition to any other tax credits.

During the last two tax seasons, the local effort has returned more than $1 million to residents and the economy.

Free Lewiston-Auburn tax preparation sites will be announced at the news conference, and in addition to Bernier and Guay, other speakers will include Charlie Swett, IRS senior tax specialist; Bud Willey, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce board chairman; and Mark Millar, division director for Casey Family Services.

The volunteer appointment scheduler, Richard Landry, will be introduced and KC Geiger, who will supervise all free tax sites, will be on hand. A local phone line will open at noon for appointment scheduling (784-2951, ext. 109) throughout the tax season.