[Publib] A taxing question: Please share your experiences........

[South Berwick Public Library]

There are two citizen initiatives on the Maine ballot this November that
could have a serious impact on libraries.  The first is a Taxpayer Bill of
Rights (TABOR II) which limits the amount of spending and/or revenue raising
that the state can do without citizen referendum approval.  Similar measures
have been defeated twice in the last ten years.  Colorado is, to my
knowledge, the only state with a similar provision, although I know other
states have laws akin to this.

There is also a measure to reduce automobile excise taxes which are set at
the state level but are kept by the municipalities to support roads,
bridges, etc.  The average municipality will lose 40% of its annual revenue
if this measure passes.  In Maine the only way for towns to make up that
loss would be to increase property taxes.

If you have any experiences, both bad or good, with these types of measures,
please share them with me at mmaney at gwi.net.  

I am the chairman of the Maine Library Association's Legislative Committee.
I am getting ready for a last minute blitz to help defeat these measures.  

Many thanks.

Mamie

Mamie Anthoine Ney
Director
South Berwick Public Library
37 Portland Street
P.O. Box 35
South Berwick, ME 03908-0035
207-384-3308 (incl. fax)
south-berwick.lib.me.us
mmaney at south-berwick.lib.me.us