House members reject early vote on tax cap

AUGUSTA – Members of the House overwhelmingly rejected a proposal Wednesday that would have placed the Maine Taxpayers Action Network’s tax cap initiative on the June 8 primary ballot.

The proposal, advanced by Senate Democrats as a joint order, received scant support in the House and was rejected 102-32.

After about a half hour of discussion, lawmakers concluded the effort was an attempt to manipulate the outcome of the tax cap vote favored by tax activist Carol Palesky who prefers to see the question on the November ballot.

Opponents also prefer the longer timetable to allow time to mount a campaign against the measure.

The initiative caps property taxes at $10 per $1,000 of assessed value, based on values in 1996-97.

The measure faces more votes, but is expected to die between the House and Senate because of the lopsided House rejection. The tax cap question would then end up on the ballot next November.