NO on 6!

The question is really, should we borrow $71.4 million plus $148 million? Currently this money does not exist. It is money we do not have.

A yes vote will cause a loan to be created that must be paid off, plus interest. Guess who will have to pay it off - all of it?

When my family expenses go up, I have to switch from steaks to hamburg. Maybe even dog food. I think we should send some dog food to our State and Federal "leaders". I will vote NO to avoid adding more debt to the State and Federal budgets.

Tax, man (BDN Editor's version)

We now tell you how it should be;

the state should own all you can see

We love the tax, man

Another tax, man.

Our editors love tax and spend

Never oppose a bond, let's lend

the poor a hand, man

Need another tax, man

If you vote for libs, we'll sing your praise

If you don't, over the coals you'll braise

If you love the state, you'll never lack

If you don't, a knife we'll stab in your back

If you like Rush, RACIST to a tee

But love Barack, a saint you'll be

Tax, man!

Let's have a tax, man

Tax the fat man

The BDN thinks it's just fine

to tax and spend us into a bind

A vote for TABOR is a crime

Though tax cuts won't hurt one dime

And you're working for just one: Baldacci.

Taxman!

It has gotten so I can tell what my votes on revenue issues should be by reading the BDN editorials. If they are opposed, I should vote in favor, if they favor an issue, I need to vote against it. It would seem that the BDN likes high taxes.

Harry - I think it would be a safe bet that once (if) TABOR is passed, there will be no more funding such as this. I think we need to take what we can get before TABOR stops all construction and federal matching funds.

Read the Denver Post. TABOR may have stopped some wasteful spending in Colorado, but they are really hurting now.

pjramsay wrote:

"I think it would be a safe bet that once (if) TABOR is passed, there will be no more funding such as this. I think we need to take what we can get before TABOR stops all construction and federal matching funds."

TABOR is the end result of this type of thinking. I'm HAPPY to allow RESPONSIBLE government to make these decisions, BUT the last three administrations have been less then responsible. Now it is time for folks to step up and do the cutting necessary to keep Maine a middle class state.

Maybe you want to pay for the unequal treatment we receive down here. Maybe you like the fact that Portland, Freeport and Camden have nice roads (built with Downeast tax dollars) I don't and I'm voting AGAINST every funding bill that appears UNTIL we get equal treatment.

No Justice, No Peace!

Harry - point taken. But the funding will be gone statewide. I like the new tar on 202 in Hampden as well as the Back Winterport Road. I like the new islands built to help with traffic flow around EMMC. Cumberland Street is in good shape as well as the newly improved parking lot in front of the federal building.

With both TABOR and Excise tax reduction on the ballot, We will be lucky to get the roads plowed next winter.

If TABOR passes I will predict a loss of business in Maine, a population decrease due to lower salaries and a general malaise in education and health care. All these scenarios have happened in Colorado. The worst is the early release of offenders due to budget cuts to the Department of Corrections.

Real cost cutting is in the number of representatives that speak for us in Augusta. 16 state senators and 32 state representatives is plenty for a state our size. A ten percent personnel cut in all state agency's would help as well. With TABOR, these cuts will come sooner than predicted as we find that we cannot run a state on the funds that TABOR would authorize.

The Denver Post interviewed a business owner who stated (I'm paraphrasing), "If I ran my business on the TABOR formula, I would have to close. TABOR only looks at what I did last year, not what I can do in the future." "TABOR did not just stifle state spending, it stifled state growth."

I believe that TABOR will probably pass. In a year or so, we will be arguing over who to blame and how do we fix it.

where's all the tax dollars raised from gas, tires, batteries, excise, ect ???? The 'Tax & Spend' party in Augusta needs to manage our money and stop borrowing it !!!!!! vote "NO"

As for Question 6, this state has more debt than it can pay - which is why it is taxing Maine residents right out of the state (businesses and residents alike. The residents are called "snowbunnies" to avoid paying the too-high state income tax). If the projects could be piroritized to eastern and northern Maine FIRST, I might say OK, but it won't happen that way. It never does.

rnblnchrd has a valid point. Where has all the tax money gone that's been raised through the sale of gasoline, diesel, etc. As for DOT Commissioner 's explanation of "low bid" contracts - low bids aren't necessarily the best bids. Anyone who's worked with that process knows as much. And those contracts usually go over the contract price. The "low bid" is just the way to get the contract - the way to get in the door. When we can't get quality government, we can't expect to get quality supervision of anything else. Except "Tax 'em, dano." This "dano" has had it. Vote Yes on TABOR and No on anything that even resembles more debt until we stop digging this hole we already have.