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Sean Faircloth
One might think Republicans don’t have much to celebrate in 2006, having had their worst year at the polls since 1974.However, Michael Heath, leader of the Christian Civic League of Maine, looked at the bright side, stating that his supporters can celebrate some successes among what he termed pro-family and pro-life legislators. “We have a lot to be thankful for,” said Heath. Heath noted with specific pleasure the election of Ellsworth Rep. Robert Crosthwaite who reflects “the moral views of the Maine Christian community.” Representative Crosthwaite, a pastor with Faith Community Fellowship, earned an A rating from the Christian Civic League.
Rep. Michael Vaughan of Durham (an excellent musician and someone I count as a friend) nominated Rep. Robert Crosthwaite for assistant Republican House leader
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The victorious Representative Crosthwaite said of Republican legislators, “We don’t have to leave our identity at the door.”
In my dealings with him, Representative Crosthwaite is polite and of the old school, for which I am grateful. The success of Representative Crosthwaite and his allies in forging Maine’s new Republican Party must be acknowledged and respected even by those who happen to disagree with their policies. Representative Crosthwaite is far from alone. House Republican Leader Josh Tardy joins Representative Crosthwaite in the vast majority of roll call votes. Carol Weston, new Republican Senate leader, joins Representative Crosthwaite and Representative Tardy in opposing a woman’s right to choose, and in voting against the law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Representative Vaughan is right. There are big differences between the parties. While I like my current Republican colleagues personally, 2006 makes clear that those Republicans who were once enthusiastic about Bill Cohen will find the Democratic Party more welcoming in the modern era.
House Speaker Glenn Cummings has offered a prosperity plan emphasizing R&D bonding (which helps UMaine) as well as emphasizing higher education generally. I believe we must hold down taxes for working-income Mainers. I see Governor Baldacci, Speaker Cummings, and Senate President Edmonds emphasizing this goal.
Both parties can, and should, share these economic goals. Particularly with regard to jobs bonds that help our region, Democrats and Republicans must work together despite our differences.
North Carolina joined the new economy largely because of state investment in their “Research Triangle.” University investment jump-started the economy of this poor rural state. The same thing can happen here in Maine—if we work together.
Democrats will seek Republican support for a major bond issue to improve Maine’s economy as specified in the Brookings report and elsewhere. Bonds require a two-thirds vote. Democrats have a one vote margin in the Senate and are far shy of two-thirds in the House.
As in the campaign, Democrats will continue to focus on economic development—and seek alliances with Republicans. I respect that we have strong differences, but I like my Republican colleagues, and hope we can overcome our differences. This election makes me very hopeful we all can work together for a better Maine.
Rep. Sean Faircloth was elected House Majority Whip on November 15. For the last half century only two Bangor Democrats have served in legislative leadership: Sean Faircloth and John Diamond.
Scott K Fish
To paraphrase the great Oliver Hardy, “Here’s another fine mess a majority of Maine voters have gotten us into.” Maine had a chance to do something positive about Maine’s high taxes and government overspending, a chance to start remaking Maine into a private-sector job creator—the “good paying jobs” for our “young people” everyone says they want. Instead, a majority of Maine voters said no to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, yes to a governor who can’t use declarative sentences, and yes to full Democrat control of the State Senate and House.Someone call a carpenter! It’s time to make the public trough wider and deeper.
As I write, there is no shortage of politicians and mainstream media (MSM) editorial writers saying, “We heard the voters. Voters want tax reform. Governor Baldacci and legislators had better deliver on tax reform in the next two years—or else!?” And, of course, I’m yet to find call for top-to-bottom revamping of Maine’s tax. The chorus— triple forte—is singing, We must provide property tax relief.
Color me skeptical. I’ve heard that song before. Whatever Democrats propose will not result in a net lowering of taxes for Mainers. Go back and read what legislators and respective governors said when Maine’s sales tax and state income tax were sold to Mainers. Both were sold as property tax relief. Government’s needs, elected officials said, were too great. Property tax payers simply couldn’t be asked to carry the whole load.
So in 1951 the sales tax became law—at a low rate! Why, the rate is so low Mainers won’t hardly notice it.
Then, government’s needs grew, so property tax payers and sales tax payers couldn’t be asked to carry the load.
So in 1970 the income tax became law—at a very low rate! A rate so low only a few will pay it, and they won’t hardly notice.
In truth, there was no long-term property tax relief. Maine’s property, sales, and income taxes grew to the monstrosity they are today. And a majority of voters kept sending to Augusta elected officials who managed to spend all that tax money plus billions more in borrowing.
Over the next two years, I expect someone will exhume the Maine Municipal Association’s plot to broaden Maine’s sales tax base. Except for food, everything now sales tax exempt will be taxed. Expect this bad idea to be sold as property tax relief? You might even see a proposal to lower Maine’s sales tax rate a little in exchange for broadening the sales tax.
The last I checked, the MMA sales tax broadening would take another $200 million a year from Maine’s private sector and give it to government to squander. Who knows? Based on the election results, a majority of Mainers may think $12 billion a year isn’t enough for Maine government ($6 billion state/$6 billion federal).
My advice for Maine taxpayers? Don’t give up your second and third jobs. You’ll need them.
Scott K Fish is owner/editor of www.asmainegoes.com and, in another life, interviewed many of the world’s best drummers. He lives in Dixmont.
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