Jim Fossel’s May 7 column, characterizing Maine’s current budget as a surplus (“Legislature should set aside differences to help local government”), was inaccurate. A surplus is not extra money when there exists many and variable unmet needs, such as crumbling bridges and roads, low reimbursement for MaineCare, too few child care facilities, budget constraints in municipalities, and a long list of funding and staffing shortfalls in state agencies (some of which were implemented by former Gov. Paul LePage).
Fossel’s concern about tax increases reflects a limited view of who and what to tax. Low- and middle-income people and small businesses cannot pay more taxes. Why consider regressive taxes when we have progressive tax options? We should tax higher-income individuals and large businesses operating in the state, some of which compete directly with our small, local businesses.
We can establish taxes on tourism. The argument that the wealthy won’t move to Maine or that high-income Mainers will leave has not been documented and insults our state.
Our tax structure isn’t why people move here or leave here. Maine attracts and keeps people here because it is a great place to live. Large businesses are here because they have a competitive advantage in a small state. Tourists come to Maine regardless of tourist taxes – they come because Maine is committed to keeping the state beautiful, the people are friendly, and there are thousands of acres of wild places to explore, hunt and fish, as well as a national reputation for great food.
Jo Myers
Waldoboro
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