I respond to the Nov. 30 letter of Rep. Bruce Bickford.

The Republican Party orchestrated a petition campaign to send tax reform to the June ballot. Tax reform is clearly controversial; why pass it?

When it passes, Mainers will pay fewer taxes; Maine’s business climate will improve; and state revenues will stabilize.

Rep. Bickford is incorrect that tax reform will increase taxes. Taxes will drop for 580,000 Maine families, saving $53 million. Why believe that? Maine Revenue Services tested the proposed law against the actual 670,000 tax returns filed last year.

For years, a top goal of the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce has been that: “(1) Maine’s tax burden be 25th in nation by 2016 and to progress toward that goal each year; and (2) to create greater stability in state revenues while exporting a higher percentage of tax liability to nonresidents.” We are not there yet, but tax reform is the critical next step.

Currently, 32 percent of Maine sales taxes come from home construction and car sales. That’s what families put off when times get bad. How much construction have you seen recently? Why base the state budget disproportionately on that?

Even if you don’t file income taxes, you are eligible for a tax refund.

Rep. Bickford is right about one thing: Mainers need tax relief. Tax reform will lower Maine’s income tax rate more than 21 percent.

Why are Republicans trying to deny tax relief to 85 percent of Maine families? Those facts don’t compute.

Rep. Mike Carey, District 72, Lewiston