Maine Dems favor higher sales tax on mom-and-pops

AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic leaders in the State House are preparing to debate over tax reform next week. Their plan: shift burden from resident income tax to higher sales tax on mom-and-pops that make-up Maine's struggling tourism industry. Rep. John Piotti, D-Unity, the bill's lead sponsor, wants to increase the meals and lodging taxes from 7 percent to 8.5 percent. collect new sales taxes on amusement park tickets, miniature golf courses, candy purchases, car repairs and more.

While there would result an obvious political bump for the Dems to cut some state income tax, the long-term impact would be detrimental to our way of life. Let's be real, Maine's best chance for any sort of economy over the next 20 years will come from tourism. Our incredible natural resources make Maine the backyard playground of Boston, NY, etc.. Levying over-the-top taxes on visitors (and forcing the mom-and-pops to collect) is sending the wrong message. We need to be attracting more visitors, not pushing them away to other vacation destinations.

Sen. Kevin Raye, a Perry Republican and minority leader in the Senate, sums it up: "...What is the logic of trying to squeeze more tax revenue out of tourists when that industry is widely regarded as critical to Maine’s economic revival?"

Critics also contend that contrary to popular belief, it will be Mainers — not out-of-state tourists — who foot most of the bill for the additional sales taxes.

Here's an idea: Instead of raising more taxes, how about we cut frivolous spending to save money? We could start with MaineCare benefits like Gastric by-pass surgeries (at $25,000 a pop) ...but wait, there's more, much more...
The state's Maine.gov website proudly refers to the
MaineCare Benefits Manual as a "massive document"!

I'm sure we could save several million if we were honest about what Maine could afford. Isn't this better than targeting the one industry in which Maine has the advantage?

Thanks!

Thanks for the invite to join this awesome blog. Look forward to contributing very soon. JT

Maine Eminent Domain v. "Landowner Dale"

As reported in the BDN recently, Landowner Dale Henderson has won a preliminary battle with the state in a dispute involving a stretch of former railroad bed that runs through his property in Hancock and Washington counties.

A judge in Hancock County Superior Court ruled last week that Henderson can keep — at least temporarily — a set of barricades he erected to hinder people from traversing his land.

At issue:

Late last year, the Maine Departments of Transportation and Conservation opened up a lengthy stretch of the multiuse Sunrise Trail, which runs from Calais to Brewer along the old Maine Central Railroad line. Dale Henderson owns large tracts of affected land in the town of Hancock in Hancock County and Steuben in Washington County. He said he has tried repeatedly to work with the state to keep users off what he considers his property. Last month, the landowner took matters into his own hands by creating rock barriers and putting up no-trespassing signs at all the entrances to his property.

We say keep up the good fight Mr. Henderson! Maine has had a strong tradition of respecting and protecting private property rights. Today this tradition is challenged. Thank you Mr. Henderson for using your resources to fight for all Maine landowners - most of us whom cannot afford to fight the ample resources of state Government.

Can it be true?

The last few days brought news that the Blue Hill Memorial Hospital was closing its OB/GYN Department- A Birthing Center.

They were unable to raise enough private funds to keep the doors open. Can you believe this? Only able to raise about $150,000 of a needed $600,000 to keep the doors open for another year, therefore there are now another 15 healthcare professionals losing their jobs in this part of the State.

Now here is the kicker- The reason they needed to raise private funds to cover this $600,000 is because MaineCare hasnt made its MILLIONS of dollars of payments. Can it be true?

Not only is it true, but this isnt the ONLY MAINE hospital that is feeling the pinch. MaineCare has a $65M SHORTFALL and this is a conservative figure- some say it larger...Can this be True!?

It is true! MaineCare has not paid Hundreds of Millions of Dollars to YOUR Maine Hospitals over the last several years!

But dont worry...(sarcastic pause), they are planning to fill the shortfall with Federal Stimulus dollars... Can this be True?

How did this happen? Was it this super great billing system that still doesnt work and cost Mainers millions?

This has to be fixed, but where to start?
And I can think of a many other programs that can be STARTED with Fed Stimulus Dollars instead of FIXING an embarassment.

Where is the accountability? And dont even get me started on AIG Bonuses with Bailout funds.

COME ON MAINE LEGISTLATORS We are better than this! This CANT BE TRUE

Call to Action: How you can reform welfare in Maine!

The Republican Project
P.O. Box 302
Bridgton, Maine 04009

www.republicanproject.org


Welfare Abuse Reform for Maine- UPDATE!

Support pending legislation that will begin to make welfare programs better for the recipient and taxpayer!!

UPDATE 3/16/09

Since we sent out this call to action two weeks ago, we have received over 50 letters that we will submit to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services at the beginning of the public hearings.

Ten people have committed to attending the hearings to provide personal testimony in support of this bill.

Unfortunately, this is NOT enough!!

Our goal is to have over 200 letters for submission, and 50 people or more committed to appearing before the Committee.

This is where the rubber hits the road, fellow Republicans. If we are to enjoy any success in promoting action that we favor and support, we MUST do the same things the opposition does to move their agenda items through the system.

Please, write a letter, and if at all possible commit to appear at the public hearing!

Legislation Highlights:

Welfare Reform in Maine, LD 254.

This bill is designed to reform Maine welfare by:

Establishing a 90-day residency requirement for program eligibility
Provide tax credits for employers who employ welfare recipients for at least 20 hours per week
Reduce the penalties now incurred by recipients when they take a job
Adjust recipient's benefits in a better manner to reflect earned income
Limit lifetime welfare benefits for adults to a maximum of five years

How can you help?

Please write a letter to the Health and Human Services Committee expressing your support for this bill. The letters do not have to be long- just an expression of your views. You can find sample letters on The Republican Project website www.republicanproject.org.

Send your signed letter to The Republican Project, P.O. Box 302, Bridgton, Maine 04009. You can scan and email your letter as well. Members of The Republican Project will hand-deliver your letters to the HHS Committee at the public hearings for this initiative. Letters should be addressed to:
"Honorable Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services" and must include your name and address.

Resolve to attend the public hearings in Augusta. Nothing makes as powerful a statement as a concerned citizen taking time out of their schedule to go to the State House and verbally express their opinions to their legislators

NOTE: The date(s) for the hearing have not been set yet- we will notify everyone once the dates are announced.

Notify The Republican Project of your willingness to attend the public hearings. Once the hearing dates are scheduled and announced, you will be contacted by The Republican Project.

Your letters in support of Welfare Reform for Maine, along with any questions can be sent to Ryan McCabe (ryan.mccabe@republicanproject.org) who is coordinating this effort for The Republican Project.

Own the Elephant!

The Republican Project has recently procured some items featuring our logo that we will send to supporters based upon the contribution amounts below:

$25- The Republican Project 4x6 Oval Vinyl Sticker
$50- The Republican Project Button and Sticker
$75- The Republican Project Khaki Ball Cap (shown right)
Over $75- All of the above

Please consider making your contribution to support The Republican Project today. Thank you!

Additional savings possible

General Fund: 3901 Health Insurance
FY 10: $65,738,245
FY 11 $69,137,563

Highway Fund: 3901 Health Insurance
FY 10: $26,230,028
FY 11 $27,540,437

These are the totals in the proposed state budget for the cost to taxpayers to provide health insurance to state employees over the next biennenium. That's right, nearly $92M in FY 10 and over $96.5M in FY 11. The Governor's budget proposes to achieve a whooping total of less than $500,000 savings from these lines in each year. Maine taxpayers can not afford to continue to fund these benefits at this level. In fact, more and more taxpayers are finding themselves going without health insurance due to rising costs of premiums.

It is time to look harder at these lines and find additional savings by reducing the benefit package and/or requiring state employees* to pay a portion of the premium costs.

*state employees = all state employees, including Legislators.

"Obama Refi"

I think I express the frustration of millions of responsible home-owners. Try getting in on the Obama refi plan...good luck. One qualifier is to be several months LATE on your mortgage payment... And if you have a responsible payment history?...sorry, too bad so sad.

The end-game of the Pelosi "bailout" should come as no surprise however. After all the POINT of liberalism/neo-communism is "pay based on ability to pay / take based on need" Or put another way: Reward the lazy and charge it to the working-class. "HOPE" you got what you voted for!