The connection between government spending and the cost to each and every Maine citizen in local, state and federal taxes is taking its toll on Maine citizens. Kathy Watson, State Party Chair, issued the following statement regarding the excessive tax burden in Maine.
Taxes consume more of a working person s income than anytime in history.
It is time for Tom Allen and John Baldacci to vote for meaningful tax relief to help working Maine families. National rankings name Maine as having the highest combined tax rates in the country as a percent of income, while Maine ranks in the lower half of the nation in per capita income and growth. This disparity is creating an increasing stress on Maine s lower to middle income population the majority of the state s citizens. Over one-third of a person s paycheck goes to pay their taxes, said Watson. For Allen and Baldacci to vote against tax relief and in favor of increasing spending on wasteful programs is a disgraceful misuse of the people s hard earned money.