Between 1997 and 2000, state spending rose 40 percent.

What “essential services” did we need that would justify a 40 percent increase in spending?

Because of these “essential services,” we have a business environment that ranks near the bottom on a list that assesses states’ accommodation of small business and entrepreneurship. Why? Because our past and current state government has imposed outrageously high taxes on personal income, capital gains, corporate income and property taxes. In addition, Maine carries high workers compensation and electricity costs.

The New York Times reported that Mainers led the nation in the percentage of per capita income paid in state and local taxes. The figures were based on 1990’s census. Has the business environment improved? No. Businesses cannot make a decent profit here. If a business can’t make a profit, then the employees are not paid a generous wage and what you’re left with is Mc-Jobs or no jobs. The state is sucking the business lifeblood right out of them.

Don’t let these municipal officials wasting your money now for “essential services” persuade you to vote against the tax cap initiative. Gov. Davis and his cronies drove California’s economy into the toilet, not the tax cap. School and road improvements will continue to be funded.

Voting in favor of the property tax cap in November is your first chance at telling the state what we think of their “essential services” and reining in the uncontrollable urge to continue wasting taxpayer money.

Brian Lawson Sr., West Gardiner

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