JAY — Town officials are sending a letter to local legislators asking them to consider taxpayers as they shift the tax burden to municipalities.

Other towns are considering doing the same.

“On the state level, they are saying no new taxes in order to close the budget gap, that is so untrue,” Town Manager Ruth Cushman said. “It’s a tax shift.”

There are massive cuts in state revenue sharing, in aid to education, tree growth, the Homestead Exemption … and it can’t help but hurt every taxpayer in Jay,” she said.

“With revenue sharing shrinking on its own accord, to have the percentage of revenue sharing cut as well puts a great deal of pressure on municipal budgets,” Cushman said. “Town and city budgets tend to run very lean and ours have decreased every year for eight years. We are looking at the Homestead Exemption shrinking, causing an increase to the taxpayers. The biggest decrease of course is the loss of aid for education.”

Jay stands to lose nearly $1 million in state education subsidy, and combined with other factors it’s more than that.

“We would ask that you consider the local taxpayers as you shift the tax burden to the local level,” Cushman’s letter to Sen. Bruce Bryant, D-Dixfield, and Rep. Paul Gilbert, D-Jay states. “The services to the taxpayers shrink. We understand the concept of ‘shared sacrifice’ but the citizens truly understand the situation and are questioning and watching the actions being taken.”

The perception is that the Democrats in the House and Senate will follow the party line.

“We would implore you to do what is best for the taxpayers you represent and reject the pressure to shift these costs to the local level,” Cushman wrote.

The letter also invites state legislators to talk with her and selectmen to discuss the situation.

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