A revenue-neutral approach that would be of major benefit to Maine seniors is to freeze their real estate taxes at the current (or other) level, but let the taxes that would otherwise be paid accumulate, with interest, to be paid upon the person’s transfer of the property.

The municipalities would receive the benefit of all subsequent property tax increases, but the senior would benefit by not owing that money until it was actually in hand.
 
This differs from Republicans’ short-lived “tax freeze” a few years ago, in that with this plan the municipalities ultimately receive all the money due to them. The Republican plan was quickly repealed because it was viewed as a giveaway and did not take into account the loss of revenue to the towns.
 
But one does wonder how hard the legislators are actually working on tax relief. Months ago, I wrote to  seven of them, who were on record stating they were seeking tax relief measures, and did not even receive the courtesy of a reply, other than from a legislator who is also a neighbor.
 
Your Sept. 28 article (“Across Maine, property taxes are high. What can lawmakers do to relieve it?“) points out that this is not just a problem for low-income Mainers. This is a burden we all share, and need to share in a way that is fair to all. There are no losers with this plan.
 

Marjorie Getz
Falmouth