What will the Legislature do with the expected $822 million in surplus revenue to the state? Republicans want to give out a tax cut. Bad idea! Those with the highest income will get most of the money — the rich get richer.

The governor wants to cut checks to struggling Maine families. Sounds good, but who decides who needs it the most and how do we do it fairly? Republicans believe Democrats just want to spend it on new programs, but I haven’t heard what those new programs are, so maybe that’s just hype.

Maybe a solution could be a combination of several ideas. For example, increasing the Homestead Exemption on real estate taxes would pass on a tax cut to all tax brackets. Additionally, there could be a one-time check to all adults with a smaller amount for each dependent child.

Lastly, how about suspending the sales tax for one or more years for items up to $100? I hate paying 5.5% on toilet paper, cleaners, clothes, auto parts, and the list goes on. Without that pesky tax our present income would go further.

Please, legislators, do what’s best for the young, old, poor and those in the middle. The rest will make out fine. By the way, the rainy day fund doesn’t need half of the excess revenue. Isn’t it already at record levels?

 

Phillip Barter

Gardiner

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