Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TexasTowelie

(116,759 posts)
Thu Oct 27, 2016, 08:21 PM Oct 2016

Maine voters to decide tax on wealthy to support schools

AUGUSTA (AP) — A question on the November ballot will ask voters to approve a 3 percent tax on the well-off to support a public education fund for Maine teachers and students.

Supporters of the proposal say it would raise more than $150 million for the state’s schools. They say it ensures that Maine will fund 55 percent of the K-12 education costs as required by a 2004 voter referendum that passed but the state never fulfilled.

“I think voters are frustrated that politicians in Augusta have not prioritized funding our schools and at the same time, have given large tax breaks to the wealthiest Mainers,” said John Kosinski, a Maine Education Association spokesman and Question 2 campaign manager.

Critics of the plan to tax those making more than $200,000 say it may be well-intentioned but is flawed. Former Maine Education Commissioner Jim Rier and others argue the tax may actually exacerbate inequities between rich and poor communities.

Read more: http://www.journaltribune.com/news/2016-10-27/State%7CRegional/Maine_voters_to_decide_tax_on_wealthy_to_support_s.html

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Maine voters to decide tax on wealthy to support schools (Original Post) TexasTowelie Oct 2016 OP
The Republican critics have no plans to offer because they don't care. Zing Zing Zingbah Nov 2016 #1

Zing Zing Zingbah

(6,496 posts)
1. The Republican critics have no plans to offer because they don't care.
Tue Nov 1, 2016, 07:13 PM
Nov 2016

They offer plenty of criticism (most which is garbage), but they offer no solutions. Their plan is to ignore the problem and do nothing about it. They are just collecting their pay checks.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Maine»Maine voters to decide ta...