Editor:



I am an Independent, write-in candidate for Governor of Maine, and I
have a solution on how to lower property taxes in four years.

Most candidates say we need to do this, but do they say how? If I am elected, here is how I will do it.

First, we need to lessen the overall need for taxes by cutting out the
size of government. I propose an amendment to cut the number in Maine’s
House from 151 to 125, eliminating 26 salaries and paid healthcare,
when many in Maine can not afford healthcare themselves. We need to
stop all these blue ribbon panels and committees that are formed just
to tell us what we already know, that we have high taxes and need
business development in rural areas of Maine. These panels idle along
while wasting our taxpayer money.

Second, we need to overhaul our state’s “welfare” system. We do this by
putting stricter qualifications to receive money, caps on the amount
one individual can receive within a year’s time, and better follow-ups
to see that individuals are not misusing the system. We all know people
that are “living off of the system”. We need to hold people accountable.

Third, we need to shift the emphasis on revenue from property taxes to
the sales tax. I am not saying we should raise the sales tax, however,
we should expand the tax across the board so all items are taxed. Why
should property owners have the burden when renters do not have this
tax? Income taxes can be manipulated by working “under the table” or
not filing at all.

Why should those that are doing right, have to take on the burden of
our tax system for those who are not? By shifting the emphasis to sales
taxes, not only will it be a more fair approach, but those coming into
our state for vacations will be contributing more for the cost of
services provided to them.

Once these solutions are implemented, we will need less revenue
collected from property taxes to pay for Maine government. Thus,
lowering the tax burden.

Do you want the same rhetoric, or solutions? If you want solutions,
then support my campaign by spreading the word, come November write-in
my name (and town) on the ballot.



Take a stand. Make a change. See a difference.

Bruce A. Fleming

Bangor