I am disappointed in my state senator, John Cleveland, for co-sponsoring the $1,000 tax credit for electric cars. As recently as November, Cleveland campaigned against “tax cuts for the rich,” but now he is pushing to give tax credits to buyers of $40,000 electric cars.

Whatever pipe dreams they think up in Augusta, the truth is that an electric car is a luxury that is out of reach for most low- to middle-income Mainers. The tax credit will not benefit any of them. It will, instead, shift the tax burden onto those low-income Mainers who are already most vulnerable, making their situation more difficult.

In difficult economic times, when many Mainers are working extra hours just to put a roof over their heads, why does Cleveland think taxpayer money should be wasted on subsidies for electric cars?

I am disappointed in my senator on that issue. In one breath, he argues against “tax cuts for the rich.” In his next breath, he argues in favor of passing “tax credits for the rich.”

Perhaps that is the best people can expect from politicians, but I had hoped for better from him.

Eric Brakey, New Gloucester