Please study the Dirigo Health Plan carefully!

I would like to draw a possible parallel to the Dirigo Health Plan: Citizens are very frustrated with the continuing increase and unpredictability of gasoline prices. Oil companies are unfair! We want some controls. We urge quick passage of the Dirigo Gasoline Plan. There will be help for those who can’t afford gas prices by a required surcharge on every gallon of gas sold and gas will always be available. We go back to 1999 gas prices and carry them forward (by the CPI). Once passed, Mainers will notice an immediate reduction in prices.

Two years later: Virtually every gas station in the state has gone out of business. Oil companies have refused to pay the $.04/gallon surcharge and so don’t deliver north of Portsmouth, N.H. A few state-run gas stations remain in the major metropolitan areas. People in rural Maine need to drive to cities to get gasoline. Thousands of people, former workers at independent gas stations, have been laid off.

Conclusion: The Dirigo Gasoline Plan would be viewed a success! Gas prices would be under control. Gasoline would remain available (granted some residents would need to drive 200 miles to get gas). Although thousands of people did lose their jobs, they would be able to continue buying gas as they would then qualify for the subsidized gasoline!

Legislators must take time to fully analyze the Dirigo Health Plan before voting on such an important issue.

Jerry Marstaller, North Turner

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