I was shocked to see a reputable organization like the National Federation of Independent Business’ misleading and incorrect full-page ad in the Bangor Daily News about Rep. Tom Allen’s tax record. To the contrary, as a small business and farm owner in northern Maine, I know that Rep. Allen has long supported middle class tax relief. What Tom has been against is President Bush’s tax plan that gave unfair large breaks to big corporations and the wealthiest Americans.

Let’s get to some facts because Maine people deserve the truth: Tom has supported middle-class tax relief for a long time, including the elimination of the marriage penalty tax, increasing the child tax credit and extending the research and development tax credit for businesses. In 2007 Rep. Allen voted for over a billion dollars in small business tax breaks, including a one-year extension of increased limits for expensing business-related purchases and extended credit for hiring disadvantaged employees. His current plan to help small businesses and families offers a $2,000 home heating oil tax credit, doubles the child tax credit, creates an education tax credit and provides property tax relief.

Finally, Rep. Allen has repeatedly supported estate tax reform measures in Congress to protect small businesses and family farms. As a family farm owner himself, I know Tom is very sensitive to this issue. All one has to do is check the facts on Rep. Allen’s record to know that he has worked tirelessly to bring tax relief to Maine’s small businesses and working families.

Ginny Manuel

Littleton