To the editor:
I want to thank my constituents who have been contacting me about Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget. Like many of you, I too share concerns about the burden the budget would place on property taxpayers.
The governor’s plan to eliminate revenue sharing would shift the tax burden to local property taxpayers. I am committed to preventing this tax shift that would greatly impact the working class, young families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses.
The small portion of the sales and income tax revenue that is returned to municipalities is used for vital services such as funding schools, firefighters, road maintenance and snow plowing. This longstanding practice of revenue sharing has helped prevent property tax spikes for residents and small businesses for more than 40 years.
We should always be working to keep and attract more skilled workers to our state. That is why it is critical that we keep the property tax burden in check for younger working Mainers. We need to encourage people stay in Maine as they raise their families and pursue their careers. I will fight for a budget and public policy that works for them as well.
The governor’s administration states that local communities can make up for some of the money lost through cuts to revenue sharing by making certain large non-profit organizations pay property taxes. However, the Maine Municipal Association estimates that roughly 90 percent of Maine towns would not be able to take advantage of this provision in the governor’s budget.
I pledge to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a fair approach to balancing Maine’s budget that does not raise property taxes or cut critical local services that help our towns prosper.
Rep. Robert Saucier
D-Presque Isle
