Maine is losing out on an important opportunity to expand tourism in the state. Facilities for conventions and conferences are outdated and small and, as a result, large events must look elsewhere.

Gov. Baldacci wants to develop a plan to help localities pay for new civic, convention and cultural facilities, and for improvements on those that already exist. Last week, he signed an executive order that creates a task force to examine funding options.

Bringing together different stakeholders is a positive step in developing a comprehensive plan for building the state’s tourism infrastructure. But a statewide approach must overcome regional politics and avoid new taxes.

Drawing more conventions to Maine, the executive order says, would have a positive effect on the entire state, regardless of whether the events are held in Portland, Bangor or on the coast.

While we agree, overcoming regional competition for development won’t be easy. Voters might recognize that a new convention center in Portland will help the entire state. Then again, they might not. The governor’s specific inclusion of representatives from Lewiston, Auburn and Presque Isle could ease some of those concerns.

Last year, the governor supported a plan that would expand the taxing authority for local governments struggling to pay for infrastructure improvements. The governor backed a local-option tax, which allows a local increase in the sales tax to pay for a specific project.

The plan received little support in the Legislature. And for good reason.

Despite the economic development potential from new facilities, Maine can’t support new taxes.

The new task force’s mandate requires that it consider all funding alternatives, not just local-option taxes. But a report – which is due Dec. 15 – that strongly advocates the tax option could become a powerful lobbying tool in the Legislature, bringing together municipal and tourism industry interests to pressure lawmakers.

Lewiston offers a different model. Faced with the deteriorating condition of the Central Maine Civic Center and the threat of losing the popular Maineiacs hockey team, the city stepped in, taking over the facility, renaming it the Colisee and embarking on significant renovations – all without raising taxes.

The city partnered with private businesses, including the hockey team’s owner, and took a risk. Whether it will pay off remains to be seen, but the city shows that significant investment is possible if it is a priority, supported by the community.

In Portland, the problem exists on a much larger scale. To replace the Cumberland County Civic Center, which is too small and dated to draw the biggest events, could cost as much as $60 million, a project requiring more than 10 times Lewiston’s investment in the Colisee.

As the governor’s new task force gathers, we urge the members to explore a full range of financing options and to consider the downside to publicly owned and financed facilities. A repackaged local-option tax would be a major disappointment.