PORTLAND (AP) – The leader of Maine’s Roman Catholics is urging residents to vote in favor of keeping a tax on beer, wine and soda on Election Day.
In calling for a “no” vote on Question 1, Bishop Richard Malone says people need to understand the reasoning behind the law, which aims to provide a stable funding source for Gov. John Baldacci’s Dirigo Health initiative.
Malone says it’s a case of competing priorities of taxes versus a program that’s “essential to some of the most vulnerable among us who otherwise would go without.”
The tax on beer, soda and wine at the wholesale level was adopted in April after lawmakers discarded a proposed 50-cent-per-pack cigarette tax increase.
At the 11th hour, lawmakers opted to tax beer, wine and soda, as well as flavored water and other beverages.
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