Tag Archives: Taxes

If the GOP truly embraces small government, it can win

In Augusta and Washington in recent days, we have seen leaders of what is supposed to be the party of small government fail to fight for that philosophy. Though the debates were on very distinct issues, they both featured at least part of the Republican Party’s leadership defending big government, rather than fiercely fighting to reduce […]

Augusta needs to realize Maine has a spending problem

You would think that, after Gov. Paul LePage secured a re-election win over the Democrats’ best candidate, Bruce Poliquin was elected to Congress, and Republicans regained control of the Maine Senate, legislators in Augusta would hear the message loud and clear from the voters of Maine: that our state has a spending problem, not a […]

Democrats’ tax scheme shows they missed the message

Last November, Maine voters sent a clear, if somewhat mixed message. By re-electing Gov. Paul LePage over Democrat Mike Michaud and giving Republicans control of the Maine Senate, they were endorsing the GOP’s message of fiscal reform and responsibility. By keeping the House in Democratic hands (with a reduced majority), they were telling Augusta politicians […]

A lack of civility threatens Maine’s democratic traditions

Maine has, historically, been known for civility in its political process. This is likely partially because we are a small, rural state with active local governance and a history of access to our politicians, from our local state rep all the way to our U.S. senators. Our congressional delegation is, for the most part, frequently […]

Time for a real budget discussion in Augusta, please

It’s that time of the year again. The snow has stopped falling (at least momentarily), baseball is fast approaching, and winter is melting away. Mud is overtaking the state, reminding us yet again, as it does every year, that at times it can be more slippery than ice — and always dirtier. In Augusta this […]

It’s time to stand up and fight taxnesia

For the past two years, a curious malady seems to have gripped Maine Democrats. It’s most pronounced in legislators who have served since 2010, but it’s spread to new legislators as well, to varying degrees, and even is appearing in regular Mainers. It’s a form of amnesia – or, perhaps, self-hypnosis – that is remarkably […]

We’ve spurned spending limits, rejected tax increases: With tax votes in Maine, it’s complicated

The moment Gov. Paul LePage mentioned a tax relief initiative in his State of the State address last week, asking the Legislature to allow the people of Maine to vote on it, liberals went on the attack. Knowing little about LePage’s proposal for a referendum asking voters if they want a $100 million tax cut […]