Casavant unseats Seavey, looks forward to term
11/16/06
By Stephanie Grinnell
Staff Writer
Stephen Beaudette re-elected HD 136. Alan Casavant elected HD 137.
Statewide tax relief, income tax rate reduction...are some of Beaudette’s goals for the upcoming session.
“We have...a reprieve. Since TABOR was defeated that reinforces the fact that we are going to need...tax relief,†Beaudette said.
Alan Casavant: “[I]ssues I think are most important, first, taxation. It’s...loud and clear because of TABOR. [P]eople want...relief. They are paying too much.â€
Three County Legislators To Be Leaders
Written by Victoria Wallack
Thursday, November 23, 2006
AUGUSTA — [Rep. Hannah] Pingree, who won her majority leader’s seat against Rep. John Tuttle of Sanford, said Democrats have to be the party of optimism rather than negativity.
“Our 89-seat majority gives us incredible opportunity as a caucus,†she said, and needs to win on the big issues like tax reform; health care and the budget.
The election of Rep. Hannah Pingree to the second highest leadership post in the Maine House of Representatives is a well deserved honor.
Maine voters gave Democrats in the Legislature a mandate to deal with issues such as...property tax relief. Democratic legislators gave Pingree their vote of confidence....
The newspaper has every confidence that Pingree will serve both her district and her state with distinction.
AUGUSTA --Baldacci said he plans to push ahead....working to get off to a fast start with plans to reduce property taxes; cut state, municipal/school spending; invest in education/the economy.
Baldacci will use some Brookings Institution recommendations....
"I'm working to get things done. I'm looking for a lot of action."
There's a $570M biennial budget gap. Final revenue figures aren’t in.
Baldacci said he will...propose a constitutional amendment to freeze property values for year-round residents.
“[F]reeze property tax rates...Maine homeowners...current levels. [P]roperty [sells]...new tax rate [determined]. Defer...taxes until property is sold/ownership transferred...â€
Rep.-Elect Peggy Pendleton
“[R]educe reliance on property tax...lower income tax burden....†Reducing income tax/exemptions, state aid for [municipal] property tax, expand Circuit Breaker, cap valuation...
Sen. Phil Bartlett
“[S]ignificant, responsible tax reform....â€
Sen. Lynn Bromley
“[T]ax reform...needs...major focus.., Part of problem...Maine's per capita income...low. Increase access to higher education, invest [R&D], connectivity, energy.
This coming session, I am committed
to increasing funding for education, supporting
small business and the Maine
economy. I will also work to make access
to affordable, quality health care a reality,
and am optimistic that we can enact
meaningful tax reform legislation.
By David Farmer , Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
As for the taxes, Baldacci said his first priority - above all else - is property taxes.
"The message is loud and clear," Baldacci said. "The people want property tax reform and property tax relief. … I'm going to be asking the Legislature to deal with that issue and get it before Maine voters as soon as possible."
"I want to start with property taxes first, because I believe that's what our citizens want," Baldacci said.
AUGUSTA -- After a contested primary and a three-way general election, Jill Conover feels she has a good sense of what her constituents in Oakland and Sidney want her to do.
For Conover, those needs include tax relief, health care reform and capping property valuations for year-round residents.
AUGUSTA -- Peter Bowman, D-Kittery, sworn in as a member of the Maine Senate representing District 1 on opening day of the 123rd Legislature.
"I look forward to bringing common sense creativity and solutions to issues which concern my constituents and all Mainers," he said. "Maine is a place with positive assets and a tremendous future. I want to be part of crafting fair tax structure and further developing efficiencies and the effectiveness of Maine's educational system."
From "People Plus" (formerly the "55 plus") center Monthly newsletter in Brunswick.
By Betheda Emonds, member of the center Board of Trustees:
[quote]The recent "TABOR" referendum, which Maine voters rejected at the polls, indicates we must work on tax policy. This next session [b]will continue to look into ways to reduce our taxes.[/b] We will also take measures to [b]rebalance our tax system[/b] to ensure a proper distribution of revenue between sales tax, income tax and property tax.[/quote]
There will always be anti-tax activists in Maine. They're not going away. Tax caps - with or without bills of rights - will be back. We can count on it.
So can legislators. That's why legislators eager to use government in new ways need to look behind them and take reasonable steps to address a tax burden that people, whatever their politics, find troubling.
Although the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) was defeated in the November election, it was supported by 46 percent of the voters, a clear indication that Mainers want some form of tax reduction.
Speaker Cummings' Remarks to House upon being Sworn In
December 6, 2006
We believe that in this moment of tremendous opportunity - Maine’s best days are yet to come. We come together now, as public policy makers, to make these new dreams, but there are challenges that must be met.
Challenges I:
We have an antiquated tax system that must be changed. This is a task we must share in. And though we have a long tradition of local control, we must work to correct a tax system that rewards duplication and inefficiency. We must ask what is the highest and best use of our taxpayer money.
Yesterday( figuratively speaking) at the voting booth, we were King.
Today we are a mere peon. Boy are we being P**d on! and the other stuff too!
Nowhere in the picture of tax reform is there tax reduction. The policy is that the State must have all it's money FIRST.
You, the person that has to actually earn it will come last.
Tax rates must increase untill we get enough to meet our State budget regardless of how much is left over for you the private tax payer. That is the apparent policy of "tax reform". It doesn't matter that you can't afford it. We are going to TAKE it.
Here in Brunswick, where life is complicated by a mass exodus in the ensuing years because of BNAS closure, I expect property taxes to increase by 60% (or more) in the next five years, and to continue a similar steep rate of increase in the years following.
biddefordsacooobcourier.com
Casavant unseats Seavey, looks forward to term
11/16/06
By Stephanie Grinnell
Staff Writer
Stephen Beaudette re-elected HD 136. Alan Casavant elected HD 137.
Statewide tax relief, income tax rate reduction...are some of Beaudette’s goals for the upcoming session.
“We have...a reprieve. Since TABOR was defeated that reinforces the fact that we are going to need...tax relief,†Beaudette said.
Alan Casavant: “[I]ssues I think are most important, first, taxation. It’s...loud and clear because of TABOR. [P]eople want...relief. They are paying too much.â€
http://www.biddefordsacooobcourier.com/news6.html
Cummings named Speaker of House
Victoria_Wallack@TimesRecord.Com
11/16/2006
AUGUSTA - Rep. Glenn Cummings elected Speaker of the House.
Rep. Hannah Pingree elected majority leader. Rep. Sean Faircloth of Bangor elected House whip.
Cummings...Democratic agenda....first order of business....to request creation of special committee on tax reform.
Rep. Watson: "We absolutely have to produce meaningful, comprehensive tax reform...this session," he said.
[url=http://www.timesrecord.com/website/main.nsf/news.nsf/0/8E0DF25FD8D88BF10...
-----
Three County Legislators To Be Leaders
Written by Victoria Wallack
Thursday, November 23, 2006
AUGUSTA — [Rep. Hannah] Pingree, who won her majority leader’s seat against Rep. John Tuttle of Sanford, said Democrats have to be the party of optimism rather than negativity.
“Our 89-seat majority gives us incredible opportunity as a caucus,†she said, and needs to win on the big issues like tax reform; health care and the budget.
[url=http://ellsworthmaine.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id...
Kudos to Pingree
(Created: Friday, November 17, 2006 9:09 AM EST)
The election of Rep. Hannah Pingree to the second highest leadership post in the Maine House of Representatives is a well deserved honor.
Maine voters gave Democrats in the Legislature a mandate to deal with issues such as...property tax relief. Democratic legislators gave Pingree their vote of confidence....
The newspaper has every confidence that Pingree will serve both her district and her state with distinction.
[url=http://www.mainecoastnow.com/articles/2006/11/23/courier_-_gazette/lette...
Baldacci won't seek office again
By SUSAN M. COVER
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
AUGUSTA --Baldacci said he plans to push ahead....working to get off to a fast start with plans to reduce property taxes; cut state, municipal/school spending; invest in education/the economy.
Baldacci will use some Brookings Institution recommendations....
"I'm working to get things done. I'm looking for a lot of action."
There's a $570M biennial budget gap. Final revenue figures aren’t in.
Baldacci said he will...propose a constitutional amendment to freeze property values for year-round residents.
[url=http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/3370108.html]source[/url]
Thank you, Scott. This could very well come in handy later on.
www.scarboroughleader.com/
12/1/06
Local legislators outline priorities
By Lucas Knowles
Editor
Rep.-Elect John McDonough
“[F]reeze property tax rates...Maine homeowners...current levels. [P]roperty [sells]...new tax rate [determined]. Defer...taxes until property is sold/ownership transferred...â€
Rep.-Elect Peggy Pendleton
“[R]educe reliance on property tax...lower income tax burden....†Reducing income tax/exemptions, state aid for [municipal] property tax, expand Circuit Breaker, cap valuation...
Sen. Phil Bartlett
“[S]ignificant, responsible tax reform....â€
Sen. Lynn Bromley
“[T]ax reform...needs...major focus.., Part of problem...Maine's per capita income...low. Increase access to higher education, invest [R&D], connectivity, energy.
http://www.scarboroughleader.com/news1.html
[b]"[S]ignificant, responsible tax reform....†[/b]
I love terms like this. "Responsible" means only tax reform ideas that don't hamper their ability to spend what they want on anything they want.
Letter to the Editor
12/1/06
Dear Gorham Times,
This coming session, I am committed
to increasing funding for education, supporting
small business and the Maine
economy. I will also work to make access
to affordable, quality health care a reality,
and am optimistic that we can enact
meaningful tax reform legislation.
Chris Barstow
State Representative
Baldacci names council to tackle economic issues
By David Farmer , Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
As for the taxes, Baldacci said his first priority - above all else - is property taxes.
"The message is loud and clear," Baldacci said. "The people want property tax reform and property tax relief. … I'm going to be asking the Legislature to deal with that issue and get it before Maine voters as soon as possible."
"I want to start with property taxes first, because I believe that's what our citizens want," Baldacci said.
[url=http://www.sunjournal.com/story/188595-3/Business/Baldacci_names_council...
Newcomers preparing for session
By SUSAN M. COVER
Sunday, December 03, 2006
AUGUSTA -- After a contested primary and a three-way general election, Jill Conover feels she has a good sense of what her constituents in Oakland and Sidney want her to do.
For Conover, those needs include tax relief, health care reform and capping property valuations for year-round residents.
http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/3383235.html
Just now on WLOB (7:59, 12/7/06):
Rep. Chris Barstow, Gorham, in response to the question "What do you hope to have accomplished in the next two years?"
Paraphrased reply: "Reform of the Maine tax code, tax relief for Maine taxpayers, property tax relief for Maine residents."
York Weekly
12-11-2006
Bowman is sworn in as state senator
AUGUSTA -- Peter Bowman, D-Kittery, sworn in as a member of the Maine Senate representing District 1 on opening day of the 123rd Legislature.
"I look forward to bringing common sense creativity and solutions to issues which concern my constituents and all Mainers," he said. "Maine is a place with positive assets and a tremendous future. I want to be part of crafting fair tax structure and further developing efficiencies and the effectiveness of Maine's educational system."
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/yorkweekly/12062006/mainenews-bowman6...
I'd like to see this one back in sticky land.
From "People Plus" (formerly the "55 plus") center Monthly newsletter in Brunswick.
By Betheda Emonds, member of the center Board of Trustees:
[quote]The recent "TABOR" referendum, which Maine voters rejected at the polls, indicates we must work on tax policy. This next session [b]will continue to look into ways to reduce our taxes.[/b] We will also take measures to [b]rebalance our tax system[/b] to ensure a proper distribution of revenue between sales tax, income tax and property tax.[/quote]
Heeding TABOR vote's warning
By Nancy Grape
Sunday, December 17, 2006
There will always be anti-tax activists in Maine. They're not going away. Tax caps - with or without bills of rights - will be back. We can count on it.
So can legislators. That's why legislators eager to use government in new ways need to look behind them and take reasonable steps to address a tax burden that people, whatever their politics, find troubling.
[url=http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/viewpoints/grape/061217grape.html]sour...
Mount Desert Islander
Research and development
Friday, 15 December 2006
Although the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) was defeated in the November election, it was supported by 46 percent of the voters, a clear indication that Mainers want some form of tax reduction.
[url=http://mdislander.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=197...
Speaker Cummings' Remarks to House upon being Sworn In
December 6, 2006
We believe that in this moment of tremendous opportunity - Maine’s best days are yet to come. We come together now, as public policy makers, to make these new dreams, but there are challenges that must be met.
Challenges I:
We have an antiquated tax system that must be changed. This is a task we must share in. And though we have a long tradition of local control, we must work to correct a tax system that rewards duplication and inefficiency. We must ask what is the highest and best use of our taxpayer money.
[url=http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=HouseDems+News&id=26...
Now's a good time to revisit these post-election promises.
skf
Good point SKF and Dist. hope there is some progress being made.
It's never too early to start recruiting candidates for 2008 to replace those who seem to have gotten "lost" under the dome. :wink:
Yesterday( figuratively speaking) at the voting booth, we were King.
Today we are a mere peon. Boy are we being P**d on! and the other stuff too!
Nowhere in the picture of tax reform is there tax reduction. The policy is that the State must have all it's money FIRST.
You, the person that has to actually earn it will come last.
Tax rates must increase untill we get enough to meet our State budget regardless of how much is left over for you the private tax payer. That is the apparent policy of "tax reform". It doesn't matter that you can't afford it. We are going to TAKE it.
Are you ready to do the TABOR thing AGAIN?
Another wakeup call.
skf
Well, the help is really paying off.
Here in Brunswick, where life is complicated by a mass exodus in the ensuing years because of BNAS closure, I expect property taxes to increase by 60% (or more) in the next five years, and to continue a similar steep rate of increase in the years following.
SKF and Knuxie,
Thanks .... I am going to start promoting folks go to AMG and read these promises.
This latest debacle, knows as the supplemental budget, stinks like a dead skunk in the road.
But hey, we get to go through this again, very, very shortly.
Hannah has several quotes about tax reduction. I guess in her world, raising the cigarette tax is a cut, because people will buy less of them.
So Ray, are we safe to assume that if she suggests an increase in Gas Tax, than we would use less of it and therefore help the environment?
Why is their policy thinking continuously flawed?
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