Protect national monuments
The U.S. Department of the Interior is currently reviewing the designations for 27 of our national monuments. This unprecedented action could revoke the monuments’ protected status or change its borders, opening up our public lands to drilling, mining and other development.
Some of our country’s most beautiful and culturally significant places are protected as national monuments. Among these monuments is Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, which protects a swath Maine’s northern woods.
It is vital that we act to protect not only Katahdin Woods and Waters but also monuments across the nation. We have a duty to each other and future generations to protect these public lands and waters from destruction and degradation.
Nicole Larson
Environment Maine
Portland
Poliquin votes favorably on climate change
It’s encouraging to see Rep. Bruce Poliquin voting favorably on climate issues. In July, he voted to maintain language and funding for continued research on climate change in the national defense authorization bill. His vote along with 45 other Republican votes successfully defeated the amendment that would have blocked further climate change research by the Defense Department.
And within weeks he voted on another bill to maintain tougher ozone standards by the Environmental Protection Agency. Despite that bill being defeated, it signifies Poliquin’s commitment to air quality and the environment. He recognizes how former Maine leaders have lead on environmental issues and how crucial the environment is to Maine and our way of life and economy.
By joining the Republican climate solutions caucus, he has the opportunity for a leadership role and be a key player in creating environmental policy and a solution to climate change. With his strong economic background and understanding of the critical connection between the environment and Maine’s economy, he can be a contributor to the solution of the climate change crisis. It doesn’t make sense that he wouldn’t join the Republican climate solutions caucus.
I greatly appreciate his recent support on these two bills and urge him to join the bipartisan caucus.
Connie Potvin
Bangor Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Hampden
Maine student loan tax credit
Sen. Nate Libby’s Aug. 1 BDN column on student debt in Maine reminded me of the lack of promotion by the state and the in-state colleges of the Maine Educational Opportunity Tax Credit.
Maine residents who work here, are at sea, or are deployed in the service, and have graduated from a Maine college after Jan. 1, 2008, are eligible for the nonrefundable tax credit for qualified student loan payments made during the year. The credit can carry forward 10 years if the credit exceeds income tax due that year. For science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degree holders, the credit is refundable.
It is possible to get an annual credit of more than $800 with an associate degree and nearly $4,500 annually with a bachelor’s degree.
Starting Jan. 1, 2016, Maine residents who earned degrees out of state and graduate degrees now qualify.
State tax returns going back three years can be amended and have the credit applied.
Ted Whitham
Bangor
Excessive profits
Recently, I bought a car from a local dealer, and I was charged more than $300 for typing up documents that the state of Maine requires me to have to register my vehicle. I am talking about the registration form, the sales tax form, the buyer’s order, the odometer statement, plus $33 for the title application, which is a charge from the state.
I don’t mind the charge for the title, but to charge me over $300 for the other few forms is just wrong. The Maine attorney general’s office should stop this practice because it is excessive and is just additional profit for the dealer.
Floyd Gonzales
Brewer