The past two years have been incredibly hard for Mainers when it comes to our job outlook and our pocketbooks. We have seen dozens of business closures at the outset of COVID-19 due to regulations and restrictions. Large corporations have nearly unlimited accounting, benefit coordination, and legal departments to chart a course around federal and state requirements, but our small businesses do not.

Employees, particularly low-income earners, are most hurt by high living costs. On top of COVID-19 restrictions, in just 1.5 years, gas rose the highest price per gallon in history. At the end of 2019, I could fill up my tank for $35; now that same tank costs me over $75. This increased cost affects the price of all goods and services Mainers consume. The cost of groceries has nearly doubled after already being roughly 13% higher than the national average. Maine energy costs have also spiked another 80% beyond inflation costs in the past year. Mainers need a break!

One way to give Maine citizens and small businesses a break is to temporarily suspend the gas tax. We currently pay about $.30/gallon in gas tax and $.312/gallon in diesel tax. This tax directly increases our costs of food, building supplies, and other commodities that Mainers need to survive. A temporary drop of $.30 in fuel costs would leave more money for vulnerable families to pay for these life necessities until energy costs ease. Please, temporarily suspend Maine’s gas tax!

 

Alexander Creznic

Farmington

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