If we want to keep our manufacturing jobs, cutting the BETR program that helps keep jobs in Maine is not the way to go. In fact, it sends a terrible message that Maine is not a stable place to do business. In addition, we just received a 51 percent increase in our business equipment tax from the city of Auburn.

Last session, legislators cut the BETR program, a tax reimbursement program that levels the playing field for manufacturers like Pioneer Plastics. The BETR program was designed to offset this tax and encourage investment in Maine. We compete with companies in other states, which do not have these burdensome personal property taxes. We need to stay competitive and invest in equipment or business suffers. Quite frankly, that translates into loss of direct and indirect jobs.

Competition is fierce in today’s marketplace. As a state, we should do everything possible to ensure the success of our companies because it translates into the success of their employees and of small businesses that, in turn, depend on them. We are all in this together.

I urge the Legislature to reverse its decision and fully fund the BETR program next session before Maine loses more jobs.

Joe D’Ambrosio, Auburn