State
Maine tax curb plan pushed
Jonathan Williams of the American Legislative Exchange Council, an author of the study, told a news conference in Augusta that Maine ranks No. 47 for its economic outlook. Williams compared that ranking to No. 2 for Colorado, which has passed a taxpayer bill of rights. Rhode Island, Vermont and New York ranked 48th to 50th in that order.
Maine voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to adopt so-called TABOR II, which would limit increases in state and municipal government spending and taxes.
Opponents from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities say TABOR hasn't brought an "economic miracle" to Colorado. Opponents say the law there's resulted in cuts that have undermined state and local services and lower personal incomes.
Advertisement
Displaying comments, from newest to oldest
verified leaddog, I have a suggestion
leaddog,
I have a suggestion let's pass a law that no corporation in Maine can spend more than their current years expenses allowing for CPI inflation and any growth in sales. That will force the board of directors to be fiscally responsible.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
verified Jon, you had me for a second
Jon, you had me for a second there until I re-read it.
The difference is if a corporation raise the price on a product, you don't have to buy it, but you have to pay your taxes.
verified leaddog, you are correct. I
leaddog, you are correct. I was over excited. That doesn't change the fact that during the 1980 and 90's huge numbers of Californian moved to Nevada and Colorado. Nor the fact that these people brought their businesses with them and contributed significantly to Colorado's growth.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
verified Maine can't be compared to
Maine can't be compared to Colorado or New Hampshire for that matter. Maine is an end-of-the-road state. New Hampshire borders Mass. and specifically the Boston market. Colorado borders California. Both have seen a huge migration of workers from these population centers. Maine has only recently seen a similiar migration and that limited to the south west corner of the state.
TABOR hurt Colorado; just as TABOR will hurt Maine.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
I think you need to look at
I think you need to look at a map. Colorado does not border California. Tabor will not hurt Maine. The state government needs to live within its means and a law restricting spending is the only way to achieve that. If this results in cuts in services that's a good thing. The state should not be doing much of what it does. If this results in layoffs of state employees that's another good thing. The state and all governments should function with the lowest number of people possible. VOTE YES.
verified Obviously, the ranking is
Obviously, the ranking is consistent with the Northeast being ranked low. That suggests that the criteria were biased. This is fairly typical. The Tax Foundation ranked Maine 2nd in Tax Burden then admitted its calculations were wrong and changed Maine's ranking to 15th. But it still included pro-rated taxes from Alaska for oil consumed in Maine. This biases their results for all Northeastern States. Without the out of state taxes Maine would rank in the mid-30's in tax burden. Another ranking placed Maine very low in business climate (I believe 48th). Come to find out that they ignored Maine's real tax climate and used only Maine's maximum income tax rate. They did not include the many targetted tax programs because they disagreed with that approach politically. Correcting for actual taxes paid moved Maine up again into the 30's. Looks like something very similiar is happenning here. But we have no details from this story.
Jon Albrecht Dixfield
verified Maine citizens should be
Maine citizens should be alarmed at the State's ranking in comparison to other States. This negative reputation discourages companies from establishing in this State with good paying jobs. This is not a liberal vs conservative situation, but a real life problem for the citizens of the State. All need good paying jobs in order to enjoy life. Citizens of Maine must insist that their leaders provide a welcoming atmosphere to corporations looking for a place to expand to and call home. With high taxes and difficult business laws and regulations it is easier for businesses to look elsewhere. Tabor could be an indication that the citizens of the State want change. If it fails, the citizens will have spoken and the State's leaders can continue to tax you and make Maine a place where business does not feel invited or welcome.
verified An ultra right wing
An ultra right wing organization is in favor of TABOR. Color me surprised!
Advertisement
Advertisement
Most Popular Today
verified on "Endangered Atlantic salmon eggs planted in Sandy River in Strong"
freshwater
This is an important start to resurrecting the fishery in the Gulf of Maine. The article does not mention how corrupted the natural flows of the Kennebec River watershed are. Timing and amounts of flow volume has been greatly changed over the last 40 years. Storage lakes at the headwaters and ponds feeding the Kennebec are now keep full all spring, summer, and into late fall. Many ponds are not drawn down at all like they historically were. China Lake is a good example. This change in flows upsets migrational cues among other impacts. It is very easy to screen off turbines so the young salmon do not become minced by the blades and build working fishways. We need leadership in Augusta who want to restore a once great industry.
verified on "G. Decoteau: They deserve each other"
The Democrat sacrament is envy, or class warfare.
I propose as captain of this lunar expedition our very own moonbat-in-chief, BHO; and as executive officer, of course, Joe "foot-in-mouth" Biden. Lift-off is set for 1/20/13.
Decoteau's letter proves that the full moon exaggerates lunacy.
verified on "P. Nachman: Confidence probably misplaced"
Ronald, If you have not
Ronald,
If you have not noticed, everything I’ve listed is a growth in the size of government, a growth in government spending or a program in crisis.
A tax cut does not belong in that list. While a tax cut may grow the size of the national debt, a tax cut does not necessarily grow the size of government nor does it increase spending.
Moreover, you selectively forgot to add your favorites, Bill Clinton and Obama, to your list of tax cutting presidents. Any reason why? Maybe your Cuban pharmacist is giving you placeboes!
- Agree Agree (2)
In order to make comments, you must verify your account.
In order to comment on SunJournal.com, you must use your real name and include the town in which you live in your profile. A member of our staff will call you to verify this information. To join in, fill out your user profile completely and check the box "please verify my status." We'll get back to you within one business day to verify your account.
Login or create an account here.
Our policy prohibits comments that are:
- Defamatory, abusive, obscene, racist, or otherwise hateful
- Excessively foul and/or vulgar
- Inappropriately sexual
- Baseless personal attacks or otherwise threatening
- Contain illegal material, or material that infringes on the rights of others
- Commercial postings attempting to sell a product/item
If you violate this policy, your comment will be removed and your account may be banned.