On Oct. 22, Robert Belanger wrote a letter suggesting that a vote for the Palesky tax cap is a way to send a message to Augusta. While he is correct that property taxes are too high and Augusta is paralyzed on the topic, he is mistaken about any message making it to Augusta due to a local tax cap.
Nowhere in the Palesky bill does it put any pressure on Augusta. It only attacks local government. If it had an element in it that would force the state to curb spending or force it to come up with money to lower property taxes, I would vote for it.
Mr. Belanger’s thinking is best characterized as follows: Two men stand before you. You put one man’s hand in a vice and say to the other, “if you don’t fix the problem, I will crush his hand.” I frankly believe Augusta will claim poverty, stand by and watch local schools and public safety get crushed. Crushing the local hand does not hurt the state’s hand.
If you want to send a message to Augusta, demand to see the Education Finance and Tax Reform Act of 2003 be implemented fully and immediately. That citizen referendum requires the state to come up with $250 million to lower property taxes by 15 percent. Don’t destroy local government thinking you’re teaching Augusta a lesson by voting in favor of the tax cap. It makes no sense.
Dana K. Lee, Mechanic Falls
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