The Maine Wire: “Of freshman senators, only King lacks leadership PAC” plus 3 more

Of freshman senators, only King lacks leadership PAC Posted: 22 Jul 2013 11:56 AM PDT U.S. Sen. Angus S. King, Jr., an unenrolled Democrat, is the only freshman U.S. senator that has not formed a leadership PAC\. Leadership PACs are committees that allow politicians to raise money from special interests and give that money to friends and colleagues. Courtesy of Shane Goldmacher of NationalJournal.com: Ted Cruz waited less than a [...]

25 Facts About the Fall of Detroit Posted: 22 Jul 2013 11:41 AM PDT Courtesy of ZeroHedge.com, here are 25 remarkable facts about Detroit: 1) At this point, the city of Detroit owes money to more than 100,000 creditors. 2) Detroit is facing $20 billion in debt and unfunded liabilities.  That breaks down to more than $25,000 per resident. 3) Back in 1960, the city of Detroit actually had the highest per-capita income in the entire nation. [...]

At 6.8 percent, Maine’s jobless rate hits 5-year low Posted: 22 Jul 2013 08:16 AM PDT AUGUSTA – Republican Gov. Paul R. LePage is touting the latest unemployment figures, which show Maine’s number of jobless at the lowest rate since November of 2008 – a 15 percent decrease since LePage took office. “About 8,000 more people are working in the private sector now than when I took office,” said LePage. “Our [...]

Maine’s Not-So-Beautiful Sunset Posted: 22 Jul 2013 06:45 AM PDT Maine’s legislature passed its two-year budget earlier this month, and it includes two allegedly temporary tax increases—one in the state sales tax (from 5 to 5.5 percent) and another in the leisure tax (from 7 to 8 percent; levied on lodging, bars, and restaurants) as a way to close the state’s $880 million budget gap. Maine’s governor, Paul LePage, vetoed the [...]

What is Wrong With This Picture ?‏ Point and Counter-Point Presented Along With 'Magnitude Of Ignorance' Video

These 11 States now have more people on welfare than they do employed. Last month, the Senate Budget Committee reports that in fiscal year 2012, between food stamps, housing support, child care, Medicaid and other benefits, the average U.S. Household below the poverty line received $168.00 a day in government support.

What's the problem with that much support? Well, the median household income in America is just over $50,000, which averages out to $137.13 a day. To put it another way, being on welfare now pays the equivalent of $30.00 an hour for a 40-hour week, while the average job pays $20.00 an hour.

You may find this amusing... BO's supporters sign petition to grant him immunity from all crimes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfiCpqYhGT0

 Learn more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/baldwin/2012/11/25/do-you-live-in-a-death-spiral-state/

Counter-Point: http://www.snopes.com/politics/taxes/deathspiral.asp

Published on Jul 22, 2013

Mark Dice shows the liberal stereotype, to be sound. This is why America is in serious trouble. I am not a republican, nor do I support their views. I believe the republicans have sold their constituents to the liberals.

Obama supporters in San Diego, California petition to grant the President immunity for any crimes he has committed or will commit while in office. Media analyst and author Mark Dice simply asks random people if they'll sign a petition to support Obama by granting him immunity for his crimes, and one person right after the other signs it to show
support for dear leader.

Obama, Liberal Supporters Petition to Grant Him Immunity for All Crimes, San Diego

Submitted by: 'RT'

"Lisbon, Lies, Liars, & Legal Larceny?" Kennebec Journal: Swan claims she was abused, misguided and misunderstood

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Former Chelsea selectwoman Carole Swan told jurors her story today, saying she was abused, misguided and misunderstood.

Carole Swan

Staff photo by Betty Adams

Related headlines

• Carole Swan abused, severely disabled, mother testifies

Swan testified in her own defense on the 12th day of her trial in federal court, spending more than three hours on the stand and starting by describing domestic violence she said she suffered at the hands of husband, Marshall.

Swan testified that her husband repeatedly pulled her hair, punched her upper arm and kicked her, but she kept it a secret because it was embarrassing.

"He's like two people," she said. "When he's nice, there's not a better person in the world."
Swan, 55, faces multiple fraud charges related to false tax returns and claims for workers' compensation, as well as fraud involving a federal aid program.

Carole Swan tells jurors she led a dual life, beaten and controlled by her husband, disabled and in pain; while painting herself as Chelsea town government's 'superwoman' to contractor Frank Monroe, who allegedly paid kickbacks to her on town contracts

 

Read more:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Swan-takes-the-stand-in-fraud-trial.html

Kennebec Journal: Contractor testifies he paid Swan out of fear of harassment

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Frank Monroe

Contributed photo

BANGOR -- Whitefield contractor Frank Monroe, who helped investigators gather evidence of an alleged kickback scheme involving former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan, told a jury Wednesday that he was worried Swan would harass him if he did not give her the money she demanded.

Monroe, who testified in U.S. District Court, where Swan faces multiple charges of fraud, said he has an agreement with the federal government saying he cannot be prosecuted for anything he says on the witness stand.

He does not have full immunity, however.

Continue reading here: http://www.kjonline.com/news/Former-Chelsea-town-manager-concerns-about-road-work-dismissed.html

The Maine Wire: “BDN censors letter critical of UMaine censorship” plus 1 more

(click on headline to read more)

BDN censors letter critical of UMaine censorship

  BANGOR – The Bangor Daily News published a July 5 letter to the editor that criticized an environmentalist non-profit for cancelling a lecture by climate expert David Dilley, but not before removing allegations that University of Maine officials were involved in the decision. Written by Dilley’s wife, a retired teacher and Hiram resident, the [...]

 

Pingree’s Press Herald smears LePage, gives Alfond free pass

In what is becoming de rigueur for newspapers owned by S. Donald Sussman and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, the Portland Press Herald is out with a new smear campaign targeting Republican Gov. Paul LePage. The smear story is entitled, “Portland schools: LePage wrong about military recruiters“. A fairer headline might read: “Portland schools: U.S. military, LePage, [...]

Good Ol' Boys Rule Lisbon, So Similar To This Except Lisbon Has Better Law Enforcement Running Interference

Price gouging alleged in Carole Swan trial

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan, who’s now on trial facing multiple charges of fraud, took a particular interest in the Windsor Road culvert replacement project in 2007, climbing down into a deep crater to the stream bed below.

e

Carole Swann

Staff photo by Betty Adams

That was the testimony in U.S. District Court today of Peter Hanson, who attended a prebid meeting at the washed-out road site with three contractors that included Swan’s husband Marshall Swan.

Carole Swan, 55, is accused of falsifying the cost of a culvert for the project that eventually was awarded to Marshall Swan Construction, and her trial on that charge and 10 other fraud charges is in its sixth day.

Read more:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Price-gouging-alleged-in-Carole-Swan-trial.html

Lisbon vs. Chelsea Is There Any Difference? How About It State Representative Dale Crafts?

What can be learned from all I've sent you? What's transferable to Lisbon? What's the effective SOLUTION for Lisbon?
 What can be learned from all I've sent you? What's transferable to Lisbon? What's the effective SOLUTION for Lisbon?

Chelsea selectman testifies town had concerns about Swan’s involvement in road projects

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Town politics took center stage Thursday at the trial of former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan on multiple federal fraud charges.

click image to enlarge

Carole Swan

Staff photo by Betty Adams

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

Richard Danforth, who served on the three-person board of selectmen from 1993–2009, along with Swan, and was re-elected last month, testified he had concerns about her involvement in the town’s road projects.

Danforth described his working relationship with Swan on the fourth day of trial in U.S.District Court.

“Early on, it was cordial,” he said. “She had a lot of good ideas for the town. Later on it got a little contentious.”

He said Swan described herself as an owner of Marshall Swan Construction, which was operated by her husband, Marshall.

Read more here:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Chelsea-selectman-testifies-town-concerned-about-Carole-Swans-involvement-in-road-projects.html

Chelsea Selectman testifies town had concerns about Swan’s involvement in road projects | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME‏

Hey Lisbon, doesn't this sound like Maloy's?

Taxpayers will pay some $1 million to finance Swans' thefts, legal prosecution, and incarceration COSTS . . . . what's applicable to Lisbon . . . . exposure articles for Lisbon Reporter???

Chelsea selectman testifies town had concerns about Swan’s involvement in road projects

By Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

BANGOR — Town politics took center stage Thursday at the trial of former Chelsea Selectwoman Carole Swan on multiple federal fraud charges.

click image to enlarge

Carole Swan

Staff photo by Betty Adams

Select images available for purchase in the
Maine Today Photo Store

Richard Danforth, who served on the three-person board of selectmen from 1993–2009, along with Swan, and was re-elected last month, testified he had concerns about her involvement in the town’s road projects.
Danforth described his working relationship with Swan on the fourth day of trial in U.S.District Court.
“Early on, it was cordial,” he said. “She had a lot of good ideas for the town. Later on it got a little contentious.”

More here:  http://www.kjonline.com/news/Chelsea-selectman-testifies-town-concerned-about-Carole-Swans-involvement-in-road-projects.html

Telling It Like It Is,,,Governor LePage's: Weekly Message: Protecting the Next Generation

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

The following is the weekly message from Governor Paul R. LePage. To listen to the audio visit the Governor's website.

My fellow Mainers, as many of you may know, I grew up on the streets, and I’m a blue-collar Governor. I’m not a politician, and I tell it like it is.

Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage.

Some say my language is colorful and refreshing. Others say it is rough and offensive. If I have offended anyone, I apologize. But folks, it is time to wake up. Sometimes the only way I can get your attention is to use straight talk.

Over the years, I’ve been criticized for my comments about the President and the dangers of the federal government growing too large and too powerful.

Since then, we have seen an administration embroiled in scandals over the IRS, Benghazi, drones, spying on the press and gun-running. Talk about offensive! And that doesn’t even include the 17 trillion dollars in national debt or a health insurance mandate that will crush the life out of the economy.

Some of my comments about politics in Augusta have also caused outrage. If the Maine people saw what really happens under the dome, they would be outraged too.

Politicians, lobbyists, unions and special interests ignore what is best for Mainers and fight to maintain the status quo. They work overtime to expand welfare and to grow government, and they will gladly increase your taxes to pay for it.

They would rather enact a bad budget that harms Mainers than make the hard choices and face the consequences at the next election. I find that obscene.

I proposed legislation that would reduce electricity costs for everyone, decrease taxes, reform welfare, create jobs and improve education. These proposals would benefit all Mainers.

But politicians work around the clock to kill common-sense legislation, just because I proposed it. They would rather ignore the best interests of Maine people than see the Governor get good legislation passed. That is truly offensive.

Being hateful toward me is one thing. But punishing Mainers just to see me lose is absolutely disgraceful. One Democratic leader told the media that it doesn’t matter what the Governor does because they have the votes to override the budget veto. This kind of obstructionist has no place doing the people’s business. They come to Augusta to keep score for political losses and wins, not to do what’s right for the Maine people.

You won’t see these stories in the media. When the politicians step in front of the cameras, they say they are seeking bipartisan solutions to improve the lives of Mainers. Sounds good. Then they turn around, ignore the Maine people and get back to their score sheets.

Folks, if you believe the status quo is working, then you are sadly mistaken. I might have to use some street talk to wake you up.

Politicians strive to be politically correct and end up doing the wrong things. I’m not politically correct, but we strive to present good public policy.

I worked in the private sector as a successful turn-around consultant for failing businesses. I see our state as a failing organization in need of a turn-around. It will take tough decisions and bold moves to eject Maine from its status as one of the nation’s highest-taxed states and the 50th worse place to do business.

It’s not a job for the weak or faint-hearted. But Augusta is full of politicians who refuse to reduce the size of government. They refuse to improve education, and they absolutely refuse to reform welfare. They won’t consider resources that would reduce the cost of electricity for everyone. They won’t even attempt to lower your taxes.

Yes, folks, this makes me mad. And it should make you mad, too.

I came to Augusta to make a difference in the lives of Mainers, not to count votes and compromise my principles. I’ve told my Cabinet that if we are in Augusta only to get re-elected, we are in the wrong business.

We are not here to get through the next election; we are here to protect the next generation.

CONNECT WITH GOVERNOR LEPAGE:

The Maine Wire: LePage vows to veto Democratic budget, calls for compromise

LePage vows to veto Democratic budget, calls for compromise

AUGUSTA – Maine Gov. Paul R. LePage announced Thursday that he intends to veto the Legislature’s budget proposal and called on Democratic leaders to join him in negotiating a 60-day continuing resolution (CR) to fund state government so a better budget can be crafted. “This budget makes us all victims,” said Maine State Director of [...]

The Maine Wire: “House Democrats vote to increase ATV registration fee 15 percent” plus 1 more

House Democrats vote to increase ATV registration fee 15 percent

AUGUSTA – Democrats in the Maine House of Representatives voted Monday to enact a bill that would raise by 15 percent the registration fee for residents and non-residents who own an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) . L.D. 911 was sponsored by Rep. Sheryl Briggs (D-Mexico) and is intended to support the ATV Recreational Management Fund. According [...]

 

Maine Ethics Commission to investigate anti-hunting group

AUGUSTA – The Maine Ethics Commission has launched a preliminary investigation into the lobbying activities of the Maine State Director of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a powerful anti-hunting lobbying organization. The investigation follows a legislator’s complaint that Katie Hansberry, HSUS’s Maine State Director, has not filed basic lobbying paperwork despite having [...]

(Click on each story to read more)

The Maine Wire: “Gov. LePage charges forward with teacher accountability and school choice bills” plus 3 more

Gov. LePage charges forward with teacher accountability and school choice bills Posted: 10 May 2013 04:35 PM PDT AUGUSTA – Gov. Paul R. LePage on Friday continued to roll out his education reform initiatives, releasing a pair of bills designed to increase school choice and educator accountability. The bills are expected to meet heavy opposition from school unions. The first bill, L.D. 1510, An Act to Ensure Statewide School Accountability and Improvement, would [...]

Democrats: Buying junk food with Food Stamps is awesome for Mainers Posted: 10 May 2013 01:49 PM PDT AUGUSTA – In a surprise move, House Speaker Mark W. Eves (D-North Berwick) ordered Democrats on the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee (HHS) to kill a bill from Gov. Paul R. LePage that would allow the state to exclude junk food from eligible food stamp purchases. State House sources said Friday that Democrats’ last-minute [...]

Gang of Eleven defends tax increase Posted: 10 May 2013 12:51 PM PDT AUGUSTA – The Gang of Eleven defended its controversial tax overhaul on Friday during a packed public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation. “I dare say there’s not a person in this state who does not recognize that our current tax code is antiquated and inadequate,” said Rep. Gary Knight (R-Livermore), lead sponsor [...]

Maine ranks 6th on list of bad places to retire Posted: 10 May 2013 05:18 AM PDT Maine is the 6th worst place to retire, according to a study produced by Bankrate.com that considered a host of variables. “The Pine Tree State can boast excellent access to medical care and a relatively mild crime rate,” the study says. “Yet it ranks No. 6 on Bankrate’s list of bad places to retire for [...]

The Maine Wire: “F” is for Fail: Democrats attack LePage, refuse to answer questions over hazy A-F alternative

“F” is for Fail: Democrats attack LePage, refuse to answer questions over hazy A-F alternative

Posted: 08 May 2013 03:01 PM PDT

AUGUSTA – Top Democrats refuse to say how long the Party has been working on their school evaluation system or how that system will work, but said Wednesday their plan is definitely better than the Governor’s. Sen. Rebecca J. Millett (D-Cumberland) and Rep. W. Bruce MacDonald (D-Boothbay), co-chairs of the Education Committee, announced during a [...]

The Maine Wire: “Dems want $500k for DEP bureaucrats to study “climate change”” plus 1 more

Dems want $500k for DEP bureaucrats to study “climate change”

Posted: 09 May 2013 03:13 PM PDT

AUGUSTA –The Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday considered a resolve that would spend $500,000 over four years to study the theory of anthropogenic climate change, also known as global warming. Rep. William Noon (D-Sanford) introduced L.D. 825 in order to study climate change theory and implement the recommendations of Maine’s Department of Environmental [...]

 

Gang of Eleven tax plan changing on eve of public hearing

Posted: 09 May 2013 09:19 AM PDT

AUGUSTA – The Gang of Eleven’s tax plan is only one week old, but supporters say the version that emerges from the Taxation Committee will look quite different from the draft bill presented to the public last Wednesday. According to Rep. Gary Knight (R-Livermore Falls), lead sponsor of the bipartisan group’s plan, supporters of his [...]

The Maine Wire: “Maine senator using Obama’s campaign service” plus 4 more

Maine senator using Obama’s campaign service Posted: 07 May 2013 05:16 PM PDT U.S. Sen. Angus S. King Jr. (U-Maine) has obtained the services of NGP Van, Inc. — the same Washington, D.C.-based campaign service provider utilized by all national Democratic committees, thousands of Democratic political campaigns and hundreds of labor unions. In an April 30 email subject line “My First 100 Days,” Sen. King thanked supporters and told them [...]

Crisis of Leadership: Democrats oppose Alfond-Eves on linking hospital debt, Medicaid expansion Posted: 07 May 2013 01:46 PM PDT AUGUSTA – A top Democratic committee chair on Tuesday came out in opposition to the decision of Senate President Justin L. Alfond (D-Cumberland) and House Speaker Mark W. Eves (D-North Berwick) to link Medicaid expansion to repaying the nearly half-a-billion dollar Medicaid debt owed to Maine’s hospitals. The Democratic leaders in the 126th Legislature have [...]

VIDEO: Maine’s Media Ignore Economic Freedom Rally Posted: 07 May 2013 01:04 PM PDT AUGUSTA – Maine taxpayers rallied at the State House on Tuesday in support of economic freedom. Despite multiple advanced notices, Maine’s traditional media outlets decided the event was unworthy of coverage. Only taxpayer-funded Maine Public Broadcasting Network attended the rally, which featured speakers from Americans for Prosperity, The Maine Heritage Policy Center and Maine Taxpayers [...]

M.D. Harmon: Gang of Ocho Immigration Bill to Cost Taxpayers $6.3 Trillion Posted: 07 May 2013 12:41 PM PDT When a proposed law is drafted for consideration by the Maine Legislature, it has to carry a “fiscal note” citing its estimated cost to taxpayers, if there is any financial impact at all. Well, the Heritage Foundation, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based conservative think tank (which has no formal affiliation with the Maine Heritage Policy Center) [...]

Maine Taxpayers Rally for Economic Freedom Posted: 07 May 2013 11:56 AM PDT AUGUSTA – Liberty-minded Mainers gathered at the State House Tuesday for an Economic Freedom Rally featuring speakers from The Maine Heritage Policy Center, Americans for Prosperity-Maine, and Maine Taxpayers United. The event focused on tax, regulatory and spending bills winding through the 126th Legislature, including the so-called Gang of Eleven’s proposed tax increase. (Recommended: Gang [...]

The Maine WIRE: Maine Democrats Suspend Transparency, Why Not? They have done it Lisbon so why not the whole state?

 Senate President Justin L. Alfond

AUGUSTA – State Democratic leaders have suspended a rule providing for transparency in the proceedings of the Legislature.

Senate President Justin L. Alfond (D-Cumberland) and Speaker of the House Mark W. Eves (D-North Berwick) informed lawmakers in an email Wednesday that they are suspending the public notice requirement for advertising public hearings.

“Effective today, the notice requirement for advertising public hearings for bills that are referred to committee after May 3rd is waived entirely,” the Democratic leaders wrote in an email to state lawmakers.

Suspending the public notice requirement will make it difficult for Maine citizens to monitor the progress of bills in Augusta and attend public hearings to voice their concerns.

However, President Alfond and Speaker Eves believe doing so is necessary in order to allow the Legislature to cope with the enormous number of bills that have yet to be considered. They wrote:

“As you know, Friday, May 17th, is the deadline for voting all committee bills.  As of Monday April 29th, committees had voted 50% of their anticipated bill load but had more than 700 bills in their possession that have not yet been voted, 260 bills voted but not yet reported out and additional bills are still expected to be referred.  Although this represents a great deal of hard work by the committees so far this session, it is clear that there is still a significant amount of work remaining in committee. It is essential that you continue your efforts to meet the deadlines, so that we can complete the work of the Legislature on time and within budget.”

Republican lawmakers were troubled by Alfond and Eve’s decision to suspend State House transparency rules and blamed Democrats’ inability to manage legislative proceedings.

“This is symptomatic of some of the problems we’ve been seeing in committees,” said House Republican Leader Kenneth Fredette (R-Newport).

Fredette was referring to recent incidents where Democratic committee chairs procedurally censored Republican Right-to-Work legislation, made a mockery of a public hearing by wearing clown noses, and brought bipartisan condemnation for heavy-handed conduct in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.

“Add to that Democrats continuing to use the one big thing we all agree on, the hospital bill, as a bargaining chip and a lack of credible solutions coming from them on balancing the budget, and we’re bound to have a very rushed final two months of session,” Fredette said.

[RELATED: Partisan Politics Stall Hospital Debt Repayment...]
Assistant House Republican Leader Alexander Willette (R-Mapelton) said the Democrat’s decision does not bode well for the creation of sound public policy.

“Anytime you stop advertising public hearings, you’re hindering the public’s ability to weigh in on important issues and, as a result, hindering our ability to craft good public policy,” he said.
S.E. Robinson Maine Wire Reporter
srobinson@mainepolicy.org

The Maine Wire: “Report: Obama spends more time golfing, vacationing than meeting on economy” plus 5 more

Report: Obama spends more time golfing, vacationing than meeting on economy Posted: 29 Apr 2013 01:50 PM PDT According to a new report from the Washington, DC-based nonpartisan Government Accountability Institute (GAI), President Barack Obama has spent more than twice as much time on vacation and golfing (976 hours) than he has spent in meetings about the economy (474.4 hours). The report, “Presidential Calendar: A Time-Based Analysis,” analyzed the official White House calendar [...]

As Republicans demand vote on hospital repayment, Democrats in disarray over Medicaid expansion Posted: 29 Apr 2013 01:38 PM PDT AUGUSTA – With less than two months remaining in the current legislative session, Democrats in Augusta appear to be in complete disarray over whether to pay Maine’s nearly $500 million hospital debt – and what, if anything, to demand in return. Republican Gov. Paul R. LePage has made repaying the hospitals a chief priority of [...]

Senate President Alfond denies Senate Republicans voice on key committee Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:57 PM PDT AUGUSTA – After more than a month of consideration, Senate President Justin L. Alfond (D-Cumberland) has refused to allow any Senate Republicans to sit on the Marine Resources Committee — an act Republicans say is part of a worrisome pattern. Senate Republican Leader Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo) said Monday that Alfond has decided to put party [...]

Maine Republicans demand ethics investigation of Democrats’ mismanaged hearings Posted: 29 Apr 2013 12:04 PM PDT AUGUSTA – Maine Republican Party Chairman Richard M. Cebra on Monday called on Senate President Justin L. Alfond (D-Cumberland) to convene the Conduct and Ethics Committee in response to a growing pattern of irregularities and disruptions during State House hearings. “The Legislature currently has some very serious issues to consider that will have a profound [...]

Truth in Packaging: Maine Democrats Don Clown Noses at Public Hearing Posted: 29 Apr 2013 11:15 AM PDT AUGUSTA – While many Mainers have long believed the Maine Democratic Party is comprised of fools, two Democratic State Senators proved as much on Wednesday by donning clown noses during a public hearing of the Health and Human Services Committee. Sens. Colleen Lachowicz (D-Waterville) and Margaret M. Craven (D-Lewiston) performed their asinine act as several [...]

Taxpayer Funded Campaigns Boost Democrats, Not Ethics Posted: 29 Apr 2013 08:05 AM PDT An Investigation by The Maine Wire finds the Clean Election Act has failed to keep big money out of politics, but rather served as a piggy bank for Democrat campaigns Republican Gov. Paul R. LePage announced his intention to reduce taxpayer funding for political campaigns – also known as the Maine Clean Elections Act – [...]

Maine Democrats Push Massive Middle Class Tax Hike

Democrats Push Massive Middle Class Tax Hike

Bring omnibus tax hike to committee in one day,
multiple bills to raise taxes on hard-working Mainers to be considered

Augusta – The Maine Republican Party is sounding the alarm on an attempt by legislative Democrats to impose a massive middle class tax hike on the Maine people just one day after they punched a series of holes in Governor LePage’s budget proposal, worsening Maine’s budget situation.

“It was clear from day one that Democrats planned to raise taxes, but this is breathtaking,” said Maine GOP Chairman Richard M. Cebra. “Multiple bills to raise taxes on everything from meals and lodging, to income and sales tax and anything else they can find.”

“Even worse,” Cebra continued. “Is that just yesterday they made the budget situation worse by refusing to cut spending.”

In total, Democrat’s massive middle class tax hike bills would take hundreds of millions of dollars out of the pockets of hard-working Maine people over the next two years.
A list of the bills follows this press release.

“It appears that Maine Democrats are much more concerned with appeasing the far left fringe of their base with massive tax hikes on the middle class than in doing what is right for Maine’s taxpayers and economy,” said Cebra.

“One thing we can be sure of is that last year the hard-working people of Maine did not vote for Democrats based on the belief that they would raise taxes on Maine’s middle class, but they are preparing to do just that,” Cebra concluded.

Earlier this year, the average Maine family saw the Obama administration raise their taxes by about $1,000 per year. Increases in Maine state taxes being proposed will take an additional bite out of the budgets of Maine families.

Among the proposals are attempts to raise income taxes by as much as 26%, sales tax by as much as 20%, increase the tax on hotel rooms by as much as 70%, increase the tax on meals by as much as 28% and increase the liquor tax by as much as 28%.

In addition, there are complex proposals like Rep. Seth Berry’s so-called “tax fairness” bill that appear to be administrative nightmares with frightening potential to put Maine in a tax-hike death spiral.

Tax Hike Proposals To Be Considered Today

• LD 692 – “An Act To Provide Funding for Education by Restoring the 8.5 Percent Income Tax Rate for High-income Taxpayers” (Kicks in at about ½ what Obama administration defines as “rich”)

• LD 815 – “An Act To Tax Political Action Committees”

• LD 834 – “An Act To Make The Income Tax More Equitable For Citizens Of The State” (Mirrors Obama administration income tax hike proposal levels)

• LD 1113 – “An Act To Provide Tax Fairness to Maine’s Middle Class and Working Families” (Seth Berry’s dangerous, so-called ‘tax fairness’ bill that would seek massive tax hikes based on a necessarily convoluted new measure and an even more complex reporting system — a better title would be the ‘Class Warfare On Auto-Pilot Reform of 2013’)

• LD 1124 – “An Act To Provide Income Tax Relief” (Actually anything but income tax relief – would put taxpayers on a scale that would change periodically based not on their income, but on their income relative to other taxpayers, effectively creating enough uncertainty to drive taxpayers out of Maine to more stable tax environments, and potentially moving some taxpayers into a higher marginal rate in the future even if they didn’t earn more money than the year before)

• LD 1256 – “An Act To Establish Tax Fairness” (Yet another attempt to raise the income tax – this one has the lowest threshold on income tax hike bills of the day – kicking in the top rate on couples who both work and earn on average $60k each)

Additional Upcoming Bills (Thursday, April 25)

• LD 1141 – “An Act To Increase the Sales Tax To Support Revenue Sharing” (Would increase the sales tax from 5% to 6%)

• LD 1227 – “An Act To Promote Tourism and Economic Development” (Raises the sales tax on hotel rooms from 7% to 12%)

• LD 1297 – “An Act To Provide Funding for Public Education by Increasing the Sales Tax” (Raises the sales tax from 5% to 5 2/3%)

• LD 1314 – “An Act To Allow a Local Option Tax on Meals and Lodging” (Allows for a 2% tax hike on meals and lodging, determined at the local level)

• LD 1402 – “An Act To Amend the Taxes Imposed on Alcohol and Lodging” (Raises the sales tax on liquor and lodging from 7% to 9%)