PORTLAND – A pair of researchers from a conservative think tank say Maine’s high taxes are sending shoppers across the border to New Hampshire.

The researchers from the Maine Heritage Policy Center determined that at least 10,000 cars crossed the border by counting license plates in the parking lots of several New Hampshire stores including Wal-Mart and Home Depot on a single Saturday last month.

Based on that, they say Mainers are saving $15 million in sales, cigarette and gasoline taxes each year on Saturdays alone at the seven stores included in the survey.

J. Scott Moody, one of the researchers, says Maine’s chief economic competitor is New Hampshire and that lowering taxes would make Maine retailers more competitive.