Maine Tax Code People's Veto (2010)
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The Maine Tax Code People's Veto will appear on the June 8, 2010 ballot in Maine. The petition was filed in June 2009 through the People's Veto provision. Originally supporters focused on getting the measure on the 2009 November ballot but in July 2009 they announced that they will instead collect signatures for a June 2010 election.[1]
In mid-June 2009, Maine lawmakers filed an application for a people's veto referendum to challenge a recently enacted tax code overhaul. The overhaul includes an income tax rate cut, a broadening of the state sales tax to more items and an increase in the state meals and lodging tax. The overhaul passed the Maine Legislature and was signed into law by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci. The referendum calls for voters to repeal the package in its entirety.[2]
Ballot summary
The ballot language will read as follows:[3]
Do you want to reject the new law that lowers Maine's income tax and replaces that revenue by making changes to the sales tax?
Supporters
Sponsors of the referendum include Republican Party Chairman Charles Webster, Senate Minority Leader Kevin Raye and House Minority Leader Joshua Tardy.[4] Sen. David Trahan organized a PAC called Still Fed Up With Taxes in support of the tax code referendum. On July 20, 2009, the group announced that they had collected more than $7,000 in donations and over $10,000 in pledges.[5]
Referendum supporters argue that although the overhaul is designed to lower income tax the package will also broaden the sales tax to include items like car repairs and increases the meals and lodging tax from 7 percent to 8.5 percent. Additionally they said that it eliminates income tax deductions and exemptions from the tax code.[2]
Opponents
Opponents of the referendum said that the overhaul package will reduce the tax burden on Maine residents by $55 million. Additionally, they argue that it will lower the top income tax rate from 8.5 percent to 6.5 percent for income up to $250,000, and the top income tax rate for incomes above $250,000 from 8.5 percent to 6.85 percent.[2]
Signatures
The Maine Constitution allows for a referendum to overturn a law only if opponents can collect at least 10% of the number of people who voted in the last governor’s election - 55,087 signatures. The signatures must be submitted by mid-September 2009.[2]
Lawsuit against secretary of state
On November 2, 2009 Still Fed Up With Taxes filed a lawsuit with the Kennebec County Superior Court requesting that the court order Secretary of State Matt Dunlap to finish reviewing signatures for the referendum.[6] The group filed petitions supporting the referendum in September 2009 but state election officials have yet to verify the signatures. The verification deadline was October 13, 2009.[7]
Sufficient signatures collected
As of November 9, 2009 supporters submitted a total of 56,107 valid signatures - 1,020 more than the minimum requirement - according to Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.[3]
See also
Articles
External links
References
- ↑ Sun Journal,"Tax repeal PAC aims for June ballot," June 21, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Associated Press,"Republicans attack tax overhaul," June 20, 2009
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Morning Sentinel,"Repeal of tax overhaul OK'd for June ballot," November 10, 2009
- ↑ Associated Pres,"Top Republicans attack Maine tax overhaul," June 19, 2009
- ↑ Maine Public Broadcasting Network,"Tax Law Opponents say Donations Rolling In," July 20, 2009
- ↑ Kennebec Journal,"Battle over tax signatures lands in court," November 3, 2009
- ↑ Maine Public Broadcasting Network,"Anti-tax Group Taking State to Court Over Petition Delay," November 2, 2009
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