Commentary

"Taxing" Times Spin "Frustration"
Commentary by representative Susan Austin

Frustration for bipartisan action builds Discontent and diminishing patience lead to fractures and fragmentation sets in. Time and energy spent is squeezing life out of the legislative calendar. Will there be relief, reform or revolt? Working toward tax reform is similar to peeling an onion! The more you peel, the more your eyes water and burn with the stinging reality and complexities of its impact.

Yet at the core of reform is the simplest philosophy of how decisions are made in utilizing money in one's hand. I refer to this as Table Top Home Economics. Families across this state sit down at their kitchen table, look at the money they "HAVE" and decide not only how to pay their living expenses, but how to invest for homes, college and retirement. It works! It keeps singles, couples and families solvent and self-sustainable.

I support that state government adopt a constitutional amendment where state spending is capped at the rate of inflation plus the percentage of population growth. The cap requires your Legislature to live within YOUR means by not allowing government spending to grow faster than your paycheck.

The money will be in the Accounts Receivable. Our financial reputation will be healthy. We wouldn't have cautionary credit lines with charge card payments looming to some distant date. State programs and services would be sound. We wouldn't offer help today and cut it tomorrow to balance yet another budget shortfall.

Our system has strayed from one that can be counted on in hard times to one that has a hard time counting. If the Legislature stops spending money it doesn't have, it will not take dollars from you through higher taxes. That money can stay at Home in your pocket to be spent in your own fashion for your needs and priorities. You deserve financial freedom from the excessive spending that presently has no dimension and no discipline. The state budget's appetite is consumptive and insatiable. The Legislature needs to make tax reform to help you now. In a propensity to obtain, protect and provide for all, we could lose all. This blinded behavior must stop.

I support spending control for state, municipal and county governments. I support a 2/3's Super Majority vote of the House and Senate to raise an existing tax/fee or create a new one. This would insure more Mainer's would be represented because more legislators would have to agree that an increase was absolutely necessary. These two proposals are needed tools your legislators should have to do your business.

I shudder at the consideration amongst some to raise taxes to lower your taxes. That sounds like my trying to run backward down Yarmouth Road to get ahead. I pray that a majority of legislators realize the fallacy of that consideration as a net gain. It is truly time for our Legislature to "Just Say NO" to new and/or increased taxes and witness the leadership Maine deserves and is rightfully demanding.

Austin is a Republican serving Gray and part of New Gloucester. She lives in Gray.