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As an out-of-state owner of a second home located in the Greenville area, I am concerned that the Democratic candidate for governor, Hannah Pingree, is proposing a plan to allow towns (such as Greenville) to tax out-of-state homeowners at higher rates than residents.
I fully understand government’s insatiable quest for additional revenue — it seems to be a universal trait of politicians everywhere — but I believe targeting those of us with second homes in Maine is shortsighted and almost certainly counterproductive.
Since purchasing our camp 10 years ago, I estimate that we have spent a minimum of $30,000 each year in the local economy. It is not certain that these expenditures will be regained if we opt to pick up stakes to avoid considerably higher taxes proposed by Pingree.
I cannot comment on the requirement or probability of Pingree successfully amending the Maine Constitution to effect this change, but, in general, I think proposals to change long-standing rules that have served the state well for over 200 years are not a good idea.
Ed Linz
Greenville