AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – An Augusta businessman is challenging the petitions leading to a people’s veto vote over the tax reform law enacted by the Maine Legislature last spring.

The Kennebec Journal in Augusta reports that Charles “Wick” Johnson III, owner of Kennebec Technologies in Augusta, filed the challenge in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Earlier this month, state election officials authorized a June referendum on the law, which creates a flat income tax of 6.5 percent, broadens the sales tax to apply to a number of currently untaxed services, and raises the food and lodging tax.

In his appeal, Johnson claims there are enough invalid signatures on the people’s veto petitions to force officials to call off the June vote.

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Information from: Kennebec Journal, http://www.kjonline.com/