March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

King disputes account of his gas-tax remarks

AUGUSTA — In an unusual action Thursday, Gov. Angus King issued a press release disputing an Associated Press wire story that he claimed misrepresented his position on increasing the state gasoline tax.

Several Maine newspapers, including the Bangor Daily News, prominently featured the article in their Thursday editions. Headlines proclaimed the governor was trying to distance himself from the nickel-per-gallon increase in the gasoline tax that he proposed last month in the state’s two-year budget package.

The AP article cited a quote King gave to reporters during a Wednesday morning press conference in his office.

“I don’t really consider the gas tax my proposal,” King said, adding that the increase was necessary to fund better roads and that no one was in favor of a tax increase. “What I’m for is good roads.”

The AP writer inferred from King’s remarks that he was backing away from the controversial tax hike which has been received with equal disdain by Republicans and Democrats.

The governor insisted Thursday that nothing could be further from the truth.

“In a lengthy discussion with the news media yesterday [Wednesday] on a number of topics, I apparently left some with the impression that I am retreating from my position that an increase in the gas tax is necessary,” King said in a written release. “That impression is not correct.”

According to State House sources, the morning’s headlines created something of a tempest in a teacup for legislators, lobbyists and the governor’s staff. King had to meet personally with the House and Senate chairmen of the Transportation Committee, both of whom were concerned over the potential disintegration of a major revenue initiative before their panel.

Lobbyists for transportation and construction interests supporting the tax increase were immediately on the phone to find out whether King had hung them out to dry. Republicans and Democrats quickly sent messages over the grapevine that “King was waffling” on the gas tax.

King said the increase, worth about $70 million over the budget cycle, is necessary to improve the state’s highway system — particularly bridges and roads in northern and eastern Maine, many of which are closed during the spring because of weight limit restrictions.

“The bottom line is the cost of building and maintaining our roads is greater than what the current gas tax generates,” King said. “This makes the choice pretty clear — pay more or let the roads deteriorate. I don’t like higher taxes any more than the next guy, but I don’t like poor road conditions hindering economic growth either.”

The governor’s press release did not address exactly what King meant when he said he didn’t consider the tax increase to be his proposal. Dennis Bailey, the governor’s communications director, declined to assign responsibility for the gaffe.

“I’m not going to lay blame on who created this perception of distancing, if it was the reporter or Angus not being clear about what he had to say,” Bailey said. “Whether the governor was not artful in describing what he was talking about or whatever, but he’s not backing off the gas tax.”

Meanwhile at the Associated Press State House Bureau, correspondent Glenn Adams said the wire service stood by its story, adding that the governor’s office did not dispute King’s published quote.


Have feedback? Want to know more? Send us ideas for follow-up stories.

comments for this post are closed

You may also like