Like most Mainers I was pleased with Gov. Baldacci’s promise of no tax increases in his proposed budget. However, on closer inspection of the details to date, that does not look like it will happen.

First he wants to hold school subsidies level with last year. Guess what? Unless schools cut their programs local property taxes will go up. That’s a tax increase!

Second he wants to stretch out the repayments on the unfounded liability of the state retirement system from 17 to 25 years. That’s a gimmick similar to what Gov. McKernan proposed during the last budget “”crisis.”” It also increases interest costs and more taxes will have to be raised to meet those costs. That’s a tax increase!

He has proposed reducing or stretching out revenue sharing payments to Maine towns and cities. Another gimmick, one that forces towns to raise their own local property taxes. That’s a tax increase! I could go on but you get the picture.

What’s the answer? Spend time in the Legislature going through all state government departments and eliminate those no longer necessary, reduce red tape by using necessary federal forms only, demanding proof of efficiencies, and having outside audits to certify those efficiencies. In addition, change the way some programs are run to simplify the process.

People not in Augusta think that everything state government does is necessary and must be continued and funded. Not so! It’s what the special interest groups want, not necessarily what the average taxpayer wants or needs.

Instead of dealing with almost 3,000 bills every two years the Legislature should spend all their time cleaning house to make sure we are getting the biggest bang for our hard-earned tax dollars, and that government is only doing what it must do for the state.

Al Barth, Bethel