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.