Discussion and action on the 1 percent property tax citizen referendum is heating up. Misinformation and scare tactics are being tossed around without supporting facts.

Maine state law, until sometime in the 1990s, did not allow public entities to take a position for or against citizen initiatives as a unit, but of course, each individual maintained their rights to do so. But without fanfare, this state law has been changed. Not only can public entities take a position on a citizen proposal, they can also designate public funds to support their position.

When I first became aware of the change, I called Bangor’s city solicitor’s office where it was confirmed.

Regardless of whether a citizen is for or against a citizen proposal, public funds are the property of all members of a city, town, etc. To have a portion of such funds used to counteract their vote, without their approval, is an erosion of their individual rights.

A statement I recently read comes to mind: “America, after all, started with a tax revolt.”

Arthur Tilley Sr.

Bangor