No new taxes?

To the editor:
    During the campaign season in 2006 nearly all Maine legislative candidates could be heard saying “No New Taxes”. Voters in Aroostook County heard it time and time again from local candidates. Many of us were a little skeptical about those views but were still hopeful that candidates meant what they were saying publicly.     Our hopes were dashed however when, late in the session last spring, April 15, 2008 to be exact, with very little opportunity for input from the public, the legislature voted for a bill that will cost Maine people an additional $75 million a year. This is a tax on beverages and health care claims and Maine taxpayers will bear the brunt of it.
    How did the legislators in Aroostook County vote on this bill? I believe voters have a right to know since many of the legislators said they wouldn’t raise taxes. This information is public if anyone wants to check on the accuracy of it. It can be found on the Legislatures Web site under LD 2247, Roll-call 423 for the House and Roll-call 449 for the Senate.
    Voting in favor of the new tax in the Maine House included Representative Ayotte of Caswell, Representative Lundeen of Mars Hill, Representative Sutherland of Chapman and Representative Theriault of Madawaska. Representative Jackson of Allagash had voted in favor of the new tax during a series of roll call votes but was absent when the final vote was taken.
    Voting in opposition to the new tax in the Maine House included Reps. Cleary of Houlton, Edgecomb of Caribou, Fischer of Presque Isle and Joy of Crystal.
    In the Maine Senate, Sen. Martin of Eagle Lake voted in favor of the new tax and Sen. Sherman of Hodgdon voted against the new tax.
    Voters will have an opportunity to reject this new tax by voting “Yes” on Question 1 at the polls on November 4th.
Dean Clukey
Houlton