Question 1A favored

The Maine Service Centers Coalition continues to favor passage of Question 1A. There is an urgent need for property tax relief. Maine’s tax mix should become more balanced and 1A would achieve that goal.

Maine’s overall tax burden should be reduced and this goal can be realized even as we also seek to balance our tax mix. The initiative would compel tax reform, create investments in structural changes to achieve efficiencies in the delivery of governmental services, and accomplish the development of a comprehensive plan to address Maine’s overall tax burden.

In August the Legislature put together a competing measure -Question 1B – that further delays property tax relief, doesn’t address Maine’s tax burden or reform the tax code.

The third option – Question 1C – is triggered by the creation of a competing measure and provides no tax reform, no property tax relief and maintains the status quo.

Question 1A is an excellent starting point to begin the much needed process of reforming Maine’s tax structure. The proposal will be the catalyst for reform.

Nick Mavodones

Vice chair

Maine Service Center Coalition

Portland