Next November, Maine voters will have another chance to rewrite their tax bills, just as they did on Nov. 4 by repealing the DirigoChoice beverage tax. Thanks to the efforts of conservative groups Maine Heritage Policy Center and Maine Leads, two initiatives will be on the November 2009 ballot that would, if approved, roll back or limit taxes. One referendum question seeks to cut vehicle excise taxes in half. Another would establish a revised Taxpayer Bill of Rights, giving voters final say over all state tax increases, while also limiting municipal and county spending. A third referendum would allow Mainers to buy health insurance from companies in the other New England, which is now prohibited by state law.
The ballot box is the bullhorn of the people, and elected officials ignore or dismiss it at their peril. But at some point, legislating by referendum is not practical and could begin to undermine the representative nature of our government.
Putting a complex matter before voters in a yes-or-no format brings the risk of unintended consequences. The Oxford County casino referendum, had it passed, would have enacted a lengthy piece of legislation that included some odd provisions, such as mandating that the casino’s CEO serve on the board of directors of organizations receiving some of the gambling proceeds. Some of the recipients were state agencies, which could have created a potential constitutional dilemma.
And it has happened before. In 1991, voters approved a referendum that stopped a plan to widen the Maine Turnpike. But in voting to stop that project, they also enacted legislation that created a process through which major transportation projects had to be reviewed by local citizen committees. Department of Transportation officials have said privately that the new process has sometimes added hundreds of thousands of dollars to projects to appease local aesthetic concerns.
The Maine Heritage Policy Center and Maine Leads are sincere in their efforts to give Mainers “an opportunity to advance the real changes that politicians have failed to make,” as Heritage CEO Tarren Bragdon puts it. But the reality is that state government has been fiscally restrained over the last several years, and tax increases have been avoided.
In the last 10 years, the Legislature and governor have lowered the sales tax from 6 percent to 5 percent; eliminated the snack tax, which generated $15 million a year; increased funding to local schools by more than $800 million; and created a $6,000 exemption for military and other public and private pensions reduced by Social Security benefits.
“We believe Mainers should have a greater say in how their government operates, and that is exactly what these three initiatives accomplish,” Mr. Bragdon said. A better way to have that say should come in electing good legislators, watching their work and speaking out when they stray from sound fiscal policy. Though the “pure democracy” nature of our town meeting heritage is important, the representative form of government envisioned by the Founding Fathers works well, especially in complex matters of how the tax burden is apportioned.
On 11/21/08 at 6:42 AM,
vichet wrote:
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The problem is that no matter who the people elect, generally, once that person gets to Augusta they get swallowed by the spend spend.... We have to do something (and it usually costs money) attitude. The needs and will of the people are denied. The first example of this I can think of is from a legislator from Orono. She said in a public meeting ( I paraphrase here) that she felt the budget process would be better if it was held in private and only after it was decided would it be public knowledge. ... Great system she has there. Absolutely no public oversight.... The people generally have a better idea of their needs and what they want to have done. Removing the tools they have to affect Augusta along with a desire to do it in private smacks of tyranny. If it isnt , why are you so afraid of what the people decide?
On 11/21/08 at 10:26 AM,
DavidH wrote:
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Referendum legislation is great if it is something the BDN is in favor of the issue--if not then we need to look at that as a form of voter input. Then eliminate it. The message voters have been trying to send to Augusta is tax and spend responsibly. Even when running for office now even some Democrats say we need to look at our taxing policies. Yet, when they get to Augusta the get a brain cramp and go back to tax and spend. Now that the economy will not support the spending habits that have grown in Augusta there are spending cuts coming. These will be configured to cause the greatest inconvenience to people and build up a bigger ground swell for revenue enhancement ie tax increases. There are probably some people that feel we are not doing enough and need to do more. I would cheer and support such a proposal if what is called a tax policy were doing some good. What we have had in the last several years has not helped the state economy. It has driven business away. It hasn't sunk in yet in Augusta that they need taxpayers. If you drive taxpayers (businesses and individuals)away you are not gaining any ground. In fact you are digging a deeper hole. Some have pointed out that the current economic times make it difficult to do anything economically. We are near the bottom already and we can stay here or we change and go up.
On 11/21/08 at 6:20 PM,
David889327 wrote:
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Where did all this BDN progressivism come from? Out of the thin blue yonder?
On 11/26/08 at 11:43 AM,
giggi2764 wrote:
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First of all we, Mainer's are already paying for Dirago. And most of us get nothing out of it. Except more debt and tax for a failed fantasy.
Secondly, when considering the referendum question on cutting vehicle excise tax, people want to remember that Excise Tax Stays In Your TOWN. The State does not get this money. This money is used for Road Repairs, Road Construction, Paving, SNOW Removal, Sand, and general up keep on your TOWN ROADS. I don't even know why the state has their fingers in anything to do with excise tax. Same goes for your Boat Excise Tax. This is used for upkeep on town docks, town landings, harbor masters, ect. If a refenerdum is passed to reduce excise tax, or even eliminate it, how do you get your roads plowed in the winter. Well you would pay it through your Real Estate Tax. That's right, more money would have to be budgeted at your town meeting for road repair, snow removal etc. So there would be no savings. This refernedum is only to make Augusta "look" they are lowering taxes. So the little old lady who pays maybe $35.00 excise tax on her 1980 renault, will get slammed with an extra $125.00 on her tax bill. Yes people this is how it would work. But the guy that has the 2008 Bently will also only pay $125.00 extra on his tax bill, instead of the $4655.00 in excise tax or the Construction outfit that are the ones pounding the daylites out of your roads with their dump trucks or logging trucks, Yup they only pay the $125.00 INSTEAD OF the $800. or $1000.00 the would by paying excise tax. So take away from the little old lady and give to the rich ALOT More. Honestly, these people in Augusta otta think this stuff through, before they open their mouths. AND THE STATE wants to cut MUNICIPAL spending. OK, WHERE do you take that from? Schools?(no wait! The state already did that.) Roads? Protection? Trash Removal? All necessities people! How about County Tax? Now there's one that could use a little (or alot) of carving.
What happened to the STATE paying 55% of educational costs that we voted on (and passed) 4 years ago? Education costs is the biggest expense that towns have. This year, in my town, 65% yes SIXTY-FIVE PERCENT, of our municipal tax bill was for education. Of that 65% the state pays 9% (NINE). NINE!!!!! AND with the govenor's newest cuts, he is gong to take back 20% of that 9% !!! Now that only leaves 7.2% State funding for education. I totally agree that cut backs are needed, but not at the municipal level. It needs to be done at the State Level. And the 55% educational costs should be exactly that. 55% of each town's educational budget, not 92.8% in one town and 7.2% in another. THAT IS NOT WHAT PEOPLE VOTED FOR !!
Now the 3rd refernedum actually makes sense. Holy Cow!! Stop the monopoly on health insurance in Maine, let other insurer's in, give some competition, lower health costs, make it affordable for those who do not have any, and stop dumping millions into DIRAGO with taxpayers money. WOW what a concept!
Ann Briggs, Steuben
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