I can’t believe the people of Maine are considering an extraction fee on water that businesses draw from the state’s aquifers. Manufacturing jobs in Maine are not disappearing, they are gone.

Let us question why we have lost so many jobs in the last few years. The climate for business in Maine is negative in many aspects. We are far from marketplaces with transportation costs making Maine products less competitive. Extreme weather also adds extra costs to products derived within the state.

Has taxation prevented or discouraged new companies from establishing in Maine? Have companies left the state because of our business climate? Now we’re thinking of charging an established company a tax on water.

Is this the message we want to send potential new business? Let’s get real.

Michael M. Collins

Eagle Lake