LePage’s proposed budget eliminates tax revenue shared with towns and cities

[jpak]

Source: Bangor (Maine) Daily News

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage’s administration proposed a complete suspension of municipal revenue sharing for the next two years as part of its plan to balance the current state budget and pay for state services without new taxes.

Stopping revenue-sharing payments to cities and towns would save $98.9 million each in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, according to the governor’s office.

The $6.3 billion proposal also eliminates the homestead property tax exemption and circuit breaker program for everyone except people older than 65 and veterans.

Senate President Justin Alfond, D-Portland, who with other legislative leaders and Appropriations Committee members, was briefed about the budget Friday by Finance Commissioner Sawin Millett and other LePage administration commissioners, called the proposal a $400 million tax shift to property taxpayers.

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Read more: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/01/11/politics/proposed-state-budget-cuts-revenue-sharing-from-towns-for-next-two-years/

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When the GOP took over the State of Maine in 2010, they cut taxes for the rich and produced a faux "budget crisis".

All the Teabagger fools that voted for LePage will now get a very large property tax increase to go with their minuscule LePage income tax cut.

This will have a devastating impact on small rural communities in Maine.

Thank you un-elected Maine Heritage Policy Center.

not

[Angry Dragon]

1. I guess he figures the state does not need cities and towns ...........

[jpak]

4. LePage sold all his property in Maine when he became governor

But he has a home in Florida.

A property tax increase is no skin off his fat ass.

yup

[Angry Dragon]

5. perhaps he is just all ass

[amandabeech]

8. Absolutely hideous. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

9. Is he a legal resident?

They need to figure out a way to tax all of his property and income and at a higher level.

[jpak]

11. We don't even know if he's a legal US citizen

He went to Canada during Vietnam...

[Dorn]

2. The same thing was done in Michigan

Michigan governor Synder cut taxes on businesses, increase taxes on retired people, and cut revenue sharing to local communities / school districts. Next he passed an emergency manager law to take away local control of cities and school districts; that was repealed by the voters in November 2012. So during the Christmas Coup of 2012 he enacted another emergency manager law similar to the first. I wish Jerry Brown lived in Michigan.

[cheri010353]

7. Why?

Would he really have a chance of being elected? Aren't there any decent liberal politicians in Michigan? And if not, why not? Maybe lack of support? The people need to quit watching Fox, listening to Linbaugh and voting for politicians who have no interest in their welfare.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. I take it the governor has no plans to run for another term.

Yep, the teabaggers are getting what they deserve. Unfortunately a lot of other Mainiacs will get these increases too.

[jpak]

18. He has a reelection committee and is taking contributions

But I think he will just abscond with the dough when he flees to FL.

yup

[spartan61]

6. We sold our small camp on East Pond in Smithfield last summer and

although we are still sad about giving up the property, now I can see it was a good thing. I just can't imagine how much higher the property taxes will be going up on that seasonal camp. As it was, we were paying 4 x more on that property than our home in Florida. How are so many people in Maine going to be able to afford to stay in their homes with higher property taxes and with the high cost of energy by CMP? I hope the people of Maine who voted for this A$$ realize how wrong they were. Of course, we in FL have an A$$ for governor, too. Rick Scott is another tea bagger gov.

[atreides1]

13. Will it matter who voted for him?

Seems to me that those who voted for or against LePage will be sharing the same bitter cup...but for those who voted for him, it's justice...especially if they lose everything!

This may sound harsh, but there are consequences for making stupid decisions...just as there are rewards for making smart decisions...and just as everybody gains from the smart decisions, everybody loses from stupid ones!

The stupid people of Maine, Florida, Michigan, and Wisconsin...are the reason that they and their friends, families, and neighbors will suffer what's coming down the road now!

[spartan61]

14. I agree with everything you said.

[Scuba]

17. +1,000 from this Cheesehead.

[jgyjadsgf]

10. Spam deleted by Behind the Aegis (MIR Team)

[jpak]

12. Fuck LePage and the asshole Tea Party

yup

[RBInMaine]

15. The Dems have HUGE control of the legislature, and even some R legislators are balking at this. So,

there is a lllllllllllong way to go with this, and LePUKE is already so unpopular he will have no help at all with this. He will LOSE this public debate BIGTIME. Come 2014 this ASSHOLE won't be elected dog catcher.

[blkmusclmachine]

16. Austerity Now! Austerity Forever!

.
Operation Northwoods: The 9/11 You Never Knew

[drynberg]

19. THE OLE SLIGHT OF HAND

First, you get elected with 39% of the Maine voters on Nov 2010, then give tax cuts to the wealthier Maine citizens (cost=$420Mill), then take $400Mill from the poorest, especially the elderly. This is our rancid governor, not savy, just an inept meddlesome cronie to the wealthy. He needs to leave Dodge NOW. Go live with the Mrs. in Florida, as I don't want any more of his baloney.