I think the politics is in the lawsuit. Give the Secretary of State's office a break. Like all other state agencies, they have to do with less. This year alone there were FIVE ballot issues that required signatures to be verified. When issues like the anti-equality people submitted their petitions, they did it early and with almost twice the necessary ones. These pro tax people barely submitted the necessary signatures and did it at the last possible minute. They submitted them during a very busy election. I think the republicans suspect that a lot of the signatures may not be valid and wanted to rush the certification process in order to have their way. The Secretary of State is taking his time, as he should. Perhaps the Maine Heritage Policy Center and the Republican Party would like to pay for extra employees at the Secretary of State's office to speed up the verification process. Like I've said before, these referendums cost taxpayers millions of dollars, which is just fine with the Maine Heritage Policy Center and Republican party. Fiscal conservatives my rear!
Our View
Waiting for Dunlap
Does Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap's delay in reviewing petitions for a People's Veto of tax reform stem from stiff partisan pressure, or is his agency just overworked?
The chairman of the Maine Republican Party, Charlie Webster of Farmington, has filed a civil action to force the state's hand in certifying the petitions, which are about three weeks past their 30-day deadline. Politics aside, the secretary of state should get these petitions reviewed immediately.
Although chosen through a partisan manner, the Secretary of State's Office cannot appear beholden to partisan interests. The rule of law abides. Tax reform is maybe the best idea to come from the Legislature in recent years; the perception that its existence is being manipulated for political reasons could sully its public image, and acceptance.
There are practical considerations, too. Businesses that may need to start collecting sales tax under the reformed laws need time to prepare and make whatever investments are necessary to do so. They shouldn't be left in the wind, wondering whether a repeal vote will be held — or won't. This limbo is unfair. There is a job to be done and the secretary of state must do it.
This delay helps no one.
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Sore Losers trying to govern
Sore Losers trying to govern by referendum! Could you imagine Democrats losing elections and trying to raise taxes thru referendum! Organic grassroots referendum Chair Charlie (Republican State Party Chair) Webster ran on lower taxes and smaller Government they lost! Stop wasting our time with TABOR XXXXXXXXV and repealing what the Wall Street Journal called the Maine Miracle. The Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce even supports this law lowering income taxes from 8.5 to 6.5. I suspect the radical right would be calling Democrats sore losers and they would clearly be right!