FORT KENT, Maine — Armed with an extensive collection of visual aids and appearing relaxed, Maine Gov. Paul LePage expressed his concerns for the future of Maine during a town hall meeting at the University of Maine at Fort Kent Fox Auditorium on Monday.
The governor concisely laid out three major issues he deems threatening to Maine: rising electricity costs, unnecessarily high state and income tax expenses, and outmigration.
For the more than 80 people attending, LePage demonstrated personal knowledge of the trend of young Mainers leaving the state when he expressed regret that his own son will move to Florida on Friday.
In a subdued tone, LePage explained that his son not only will receive a $30,000 per year increase in pay once he moves to the Sunshine State, but he actually will take home $40,000 more per year because Florida does not charge its workers with a state income tax.
The governor illustrated his point that the pain of outmigration is as real for any northern Maine family as it is for one living in the Blaine House when he spoke of the bond between his son, and his wife, Ann LePage.
“He absolutely loves his mother; he’s gonna miss her,” LePage said.
The governor said he believes many individuals of working age leave Maine due to a confluence of several factors affecting Maine’s economy.
“Businesses cannot afford to pay high wages due to high taxes and high energy costs,” he said.
The cost of energy, according to LePage is driving business to leave the state, resulting in a loss of employment for individuals in the manufacturing sector, specifically with regard to recent multiple mill closings in Maine.
He said professionals and high-income earners also are being pushed out of state, due to the income tax which he said weighs in at 10 percent for any family earning $200,000.
According to the governor, such taxes deter professionals from living in Maine, resulting in a shortage of doctors, dentist, psychiatrists, engineers and scientists.
“Affluent people talk with their feet; if you overtax them, they leave,” he said.
He pointed out that 40 million people visit Maine each year and recommended a move toward a consumption tax.
LePage said he understands what it is like to have little money, but also appreciates working hard for his earnings.
“I am a person who lived the American dream. I came out of dirt poor (beginnings) and worked my way up. If I live in Maine, I’m being penalized. We have to lower and get rid of the income tax; it’s a killer for Maine,” he said.
LePage’s subdued nature caught the attention of at least one audience member.
“I don’t know if it’s medication or you’ve changed your personality but it’s very nice,” Darryl Adams told the governor. “I like your demeanor better.”
In response, the governor remarked, “I lost weight.”
LePage encouraged those in attendance at the town hall meeting to contact their local legislators to encourage them to vote to lower taxes for Maine residents and for measures that support affordable energy costs.
Such efforts to reach local legislators make a difference, he said, citing a successful movement to change welfare rules that resulted in stricter laws regarding who can receive the subsidies.
“Food stamps are down 80 percent, TANF is down 67 percent. People on welfare two years ago earn 114 percent more revenue than they ever have,” LePage said. “When people get behind a program, it works.”
