Petition drive to derail budget provisions fails

AUGUSTA – An effort to block a cigarette tax increase due to take effect Monday and other portions of Maine’s state budget failed Friday when a deadline passed to submit petitions calling for a people’s veto vote.

Stavros Mendros of Lewiston, a leader of the group Citizens of Save Maine, said his supporters did not collect enough valid voter signatures to block the cigarette tax hike and eight other taxes.

“Petitions have been pouring in this past week and I thought we would make it,” said Mendros, “but our validity rate was not there.” He said it appears that many smokers are not registered to vote. The signatures had to be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday to state election officials in order to sideline the tax provisions, which are part of the two-year state budget.

In addition to opposing a doubling of the cigarette tax to $2 per pack, Mendros’ group sought a referendum on increases in corporate income, business equipment and other state taxes.

At least 50,519 valid voters’ signatures must be submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office in order to force a referendum. Mendros’ group sought a June referendum.