Letter to the editor: Fulford for fair taxes

Thu, 10/27/2016 - 12:30pm

There are many reasons that all of us in Waldo County will benefit when we elect Jonathan Fulford as our State Senator because he recognizes that building a strong economy and protecting the future for working people requires a fair tax policy in Maine. Lobbyists have sold current Maine legislators on the discredited "trickle down" theory that cutting top income tax rates for large corporations and wealthy individuals would result in more jobs and prosperity.

It's not hard to see that, while those at the top have benefitted greatly from lower income taxes, the promised jobs have not developed. And lower tax revenues have depleted State revenue sharing with communities and school districts, forcing them to increase property taxes on the rest of us.

Jonathan Fulford has a three-part plan for fairer tax policies that can restore revenues to communities. One: Lower property taxes by restoring taxes that will insure that wealthy Mainers pay their fair share of the tax burden. Two: Return State revenue sharing with municipalities to fulfill the statutory mandate to provide 55% of the support required by local public schools, as well as crucial local services like firefighting, police protection, and road maintenance. Three: Work to find and use every available dollar of federal funding and use it to strengthen Maine families and towns, not giveaways to giant corporate interests.

Sensible, family-focused taxing policies – one more great reason to elect Jonathan Fulford to be OUR State Senator. Vote Fulford on November 8!

Nancy Galland lives in Stockton Springs