Apparently, House Democrats in Augusta are so excited that Maine has dropped to number two in taxes in the nation according to the Tax Foundation (at 14 percent, edging out Vermont by a statistically insignificant one-tenth of a point) that they’re celebrating by raising their salaries.

LD 1814 is sponsored by John Tuttle, D-Sanford, and co-sponsored by House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, D-North Haven, and House Majority Whip Sean Faircloth, D-Bangor. In other words, the entire House Democratic leadership supports this reckless piece of legislation.

It is an insult to the taxpayers of Maine to be raising salaries at a time when the Department of Health and Human Services is $30 million short of funds, the governor’s school consolidation plan is going nowhere, and Maine needs legislation that will create real solutions for our revenue crisis.

Name one business where part-time workers who already receive $12,615 in the first year, and $9,254 in the second year each biennium, as well as up to $70 a day for expenses, can vote to increase the amount that they are paid. If I were their boss, I would be outraged.

As it so happens, the taxpayers are their bosses. It’s our money that the Democratic House leadership is showering upon themselves, and we should be outraged.

Dan Bolling, Oxford

Chairman, Oxford County Republican Committee