In Maine tomorrow, people will get a chance to support the Maine economy by voting "Yes" on Question 1, a "People's Veto" of a recent change in Maine tax law.
Public Law 629 raised excise taxes on bottled soft drinks, syrups, wine, and beer, among other things. The funds raised by these taxes will go to the DirigoHealth program, which provides coverage for small businesses and individuals in Maine up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. Dirigo currently covers 14,000 people in Maine, and the excise tax will increase this to around 18,000.
However, some very-well-funded people, like the beverage distributors, have come out in a full-court press against this increase, and have gotten enough signatures to force a veto attempt onto the ballot tomorrow. They claim to be "fed up with taxes", and protecting Maine jobs, but the result of their endeavors will be taking some $55 million away from Dirigo over the next 3 years.
If you haven't gone to the polls in Maine yet, please vote "No" on Question 1, despite all the advertising pressing you to vote yes.
Thanks. See you in line tomorrow. :-)