Maine Greens: Vote no on tax cap question

PORTLAND – Maine’s Green Party is urging a “no” vote on the tax cap referendum on Tuesday’s ballot.

The party’s steering committee said it agrees with the intent behind the initiative to provide tax relief to homeowners. But it also says the tax cap is not an appropriate solution and addresses only one part of the taxation and spending problems in the state.

If approved by voters, the referendum would cap taxes at 1 percent of a property’s assessed value.

Town and school officials say it would severely cut their budgets, leading to layoffs and cutbacks in services. Tax cap supporters say those are scare tactics.

In a statement, the Green Party said it is calling upon the governor and legislators to put aside their differences in seeking tax reform solutions.