Blaine House hopefuls split ojn TABOR

AUGUSTA – Maine’s major gubernatorial candidates are sharply divided on the government spending initiative known as TABOR that will be on the November ballot. Only Republican Chandler Woodcock pledged to oppose any increase in state taxes.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights proposal for government spending curbs sets Woodcock apart from Democratic incumbent John Baldacci, with Woodcock strongly in favor of what he sees as “real reform” and Baldacci dismissing it as “too extreme.”

Joining Baldacci in opposition to TABOR, which would limit spending growth at the state, county, municipal and school district levels and require voter approval for tax or fee increases, are Green Independent Pat LaMarche and independent Barbara Merrill.

In her response to a candidate survey by The Associated Press, LaMarche calls TABOR “a cry of pain” from taxpayers and warns that “office holders and office seekers alike should start listening.” But she criticized the proposal as weakening local control.

Merrill said the spending reform “is both less and more than we need.” It’s too weak because the Legislature can override it, said Merrill, who prefers a constitutional amendment. But she said TABOR is also too strong because it interferes in local government.

Baldacci warned that TABOR, whose spending controls are aimed at keeping a lid on taxes, would cut critical local services like police and fire protection, public safety and schools.

“TABOR would especially impact rural Maine negatively, pitting investments in education and infrastructure against other investments we need for the well-being of our state,” his re-election campaign said in an e-mailed reply to the AP survey.

Baldacci added that Mainers’ concerns over high state and local taxes have already been addressed by a law widely known as LD1, which passed last year and provides spending caps while increasing state school subsidies and property tax refunds. He promises more efforts to reduce taxes in the coming legislative term.

Woodcock points out that TABOR is flexible on tax increases and allows them if two-thirds of an elected governing body and a majority of voters approve them.

“I strongly support the Taxpayer Bill of Rights as a means of real spending reform,” Woodcock said. “The initiative will control the rate of growth of government while giving local citizens the power to override the limits if necessary.”

Joining Woodcock in favor of TABOR is independent Phillip Morris NaPier.

The “pledge” to oppose higher taxes drew the most pointed responses from Woodcock and Merrill.

In his written response, Woodcock said, “I will not propose any new taxes or fees that result in a net increase in Maine’s tax burden. And I will oppose any that come across my desk.”

Merrill said, “I will oppose any increase in the level of taxation and fees by state government and will work to reduce the level of taxation. I will not close the door on considering ways to make taxation more fair by changing the mix of taxes.”

Baldacci pointed to his own record to answer the question, saying the state closed a budget gap of about $1 billion without raising broad-based taxes early in his first term.

“We will be looking to the next four years with the same mindset, providing crucial services while reducing the tax burden for Maine families,” the governor said.

LaMarche called for a replacement of the state’s tax structure. She said some taxes, such as property tax, are “illogical” because of an unfair burden they put on the elderly and working class.

The Green party candidate also suggests looking at ideas from other states such as New Hampshire, which has a business profit tax rather than a business income tax. Applying that idea in Maine could ease the tax squeeze on small businesses, LaMarche said.

NaPier also sees a need for top-to-bottom tax reform.

“In order to reduce taxes for the Maine taxpayer, I propose to do away with the state income tax and expand the sales tax so that visitors and those who work ‘under the table’ pay their fair share,” NaPier said.