I enthusiastically recommend returning Ann Matlack to the Legislature, but this time as a Senator. Here are a couple of reasons why:

Representative Ann Matlack and I worked together on a bill that made the “dark store” theory difficult for a mega-company to employ against lesser funded municipalities. It took us almost three years to work the bill through the Legislature. 

When the bill became law, the State Board of Property Tax Review’s case load, which was overloaded with big box store versus small towns and cities cases, disappeared overnight. Cases were either settled or withdrawn. As a result of RepresentativeMatlack’s work in the Legislature, communities with big box stores across the state, like Rockland and Thomaston, will not have to spend tax dollars to defend themselves against predatory abatement practices. 

More recently, with property values and tax billsincreasing to unaffordable levels for many, the Legislature formed a task force whose purpose is to study all things that pressure property taxes and, as a result of that study, make recommendations to the Legislature on how to fix our property tax system. Representative Matlack was chosen by her Legislative colleagues to co-chair that very important task force.

During the previous session, Ann Matlack introduced LD 229, An Act to Bring Fairness to Maine Families by Adjusting the Tax Brackets and Tax Rates. She also introduced a bill that would require municipalities be reimbursed for not less than 90% of the lost revenues due to personal exemptions (homestead, veterans and blind). It would also increase the homestead exemption to $50,000; it is currently $25,000.

Ann Matlack has worked hard to bring relief to Mainers on taxation issues. That work will continue if you honor her with your vote.

Kerry Leichtman lives in Rockport and is the Rockport town assessor.