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AUGUSTA, Maine — Representatives from the Stop the Scam/No on Question One campaign will be in Aroostook County September 24-26 to share the facts about Question One and why it must be defeated on November 6.
Question One on the ballot this November will read as follows:
“Do you want to create the Universal Home Care Program to provide home-based assistance to people with disabilities and senior citizens, regardless of income, funded by a new 3.8% tax on individuals and families with Maine wage and adjusted gross income above the amount subject to Social Security taxes, which is $128,400 in 2018?”
Stop the Scam/No on Question One representatives will talk about the numerous problems with Question One while in The County. Some of the problems with the question are:
Question One would impose a massive tax increase on thousands of working Maine families and small businesses. If passed, Maine would have the highest top income tax rate of any state in the country. According to Maine’s State Economist, Maine could lose nearly $2 billion in personal income and 1,700 people could leave Maine’s labor force in less than 5 years. This would be disastrous for Maine people and the state’s economy.
Question One also would violate patient privacy rights and federal privacy laws by sharing the private health information of older and disabled adults with potentially thousands of people. If passed, it is expected to result in wait lists for Mainers truly in need of home care because millionaires and part-time residents would be eligible.
Question One would require all caretakers – even family members — to be state employees and potentially pay fees to the state employees union.
The quasi-government board Question One would set up would be unaccountable to any state agency or lawmakers. And unlike proponents’ claims, this new board is not comparable at all to the Maine Potato Board. Stop the Scam/No on Question One campaign representatives will be setting the record straight on this point while in The County.
All four candidates for Maine governor oppose Question One. Former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court Daniel Wathen, an Easton native, has serious concerns about its constitutionality. Nearly 40 statewide organizations representing Maine health care providers and businesses of all types and sizes also oppose Question One. The Home Care & Hospice Alliance of Maine is one. Their members unanimously oppose the question, saying it does not appropriately address the important issues facing home-based care and, instead, creates more problems.
For more information on Stop the Scam/No on Question One events in The County, please contact the campaign at info@stopthescammaine.com or call 207-939-0213.
For more information on the 3.8% tax scam, please go to www.StopTheScamMaine.com.
