The Fight for America’s Future, What’s at Stake for Mainers, and What You Can Do About It.
Who knew tax policy could be so engaging? Our Waldo County Dems forum on fair taxes had an unexpectedly good turnout on Sunday June 8 even though it was a perfect spring weekend day! Presenter and MECEP President Garrett Martin of the Maine Center on Economic Policy provided excellent and entertaining content. WCDC members brought friends, including interested Republicans, and the questions and comments added to the richness of the conversation.
Among the topics discussed were:
- the relationship of tax rates to the development of historic income inequality
- workers producing more but earning less
- the rigged economy that rewards the ultra-rich and corporations on the backs of workers
- chaos, corruption, and cuts
- impact of tariffs
- the deficit
- the LePage-administration tax cuts and what it’s taking to recover from them
- Maine’s budget
Chris Battaglia of Torchlight Media filmed the event, so we’ll soon have a video, as well as Garrett’s PowerPoint, available for everyone interested in what we learned.
As WCDC Chair Paige Zeigler noted, “This administration is taking the money out of the pockets of the middle class and putting it into the pockets of the wealthy. They don’t need another yacht, but we need good health insurance.”
Garrett Martin said, “MECEP’s goal is to make sure everyone in Maine has a fair chance at a good life. Part of the way we do that is by advocating for tax and economic policies that allow us to invest in our greatest asset – our people – and properly value the work they do.”
He made it clear that it’s going to be up to us to fight for our future and the future of generations to come. We must help build an economy that works by standing up for tax fairness. If we are going to stand up for all workers and families, we must advocate for tax fairness at the state level. We must protect vital investments in Maine people and communities including health care, childcare, food security, and education.
Learn about tax bills that deserve your support through the Maine Center for Economic Policy and Mainers for Tax Fairness.
In the meantime, help build an economy that works by standing up for tax fairness. Call your state representative and ask them to support these bills:
- Millionaire’s surcharge (LD 1089)
- Corporate income tax (LD 1879)
- Graduated real estate transfer tax (LD 1082)
- Dependent exemption tax credit (LD 1294)