I urge the residents of the Senate District 27, and particularly the Katahdin region, to support Sen. Doug Smith for re-election. He is the only candidate for state Senate who has an understanding of what must be done at the state level to get Maine’s rural economy growing again.

As the senator representing this area some years ago I fought against the enactment of the Maine income tax because I knew it would eventually injure our economy. Doug Smith understands this and in the last Legislature introduced legislation to cut the Maine income tax in half for all residents and businesses.

Without reducing this highest in the nation state income tax, Maine’s businesses and manufacturers cannot compete effectively in the global economy.

Doug has also championed reducing health insurance costs by sponsoring legislation to allow Mainers to go out of state to purchase their health insurance which would greatly reduce costs.

On a personal note, I have known Doug for many years and he can be trusted to do what he says he will do.

We need Doug Smith’s commitment to rebuilding Maine’s rural economy and his continued leadership in the state Senate.

Wakine Tanous

East Millinocket