Jim Torbert, chairman of the Lincoln County Democratic Committee (LCDC), announced at the start of LCDC’s April 13 meeting that the release of “A Better Deal for Maine,” the Democrats’ counter to the Gov. Paul LePage’s proposed budget, prompted a change in program.

State Sen. Chris Johnson then took the floor to explain how just about all taxpayers (the bottom 95 percent) will benefit from the plan and how the state will become more competitive. He also pointed out contrasts between the Democrats’ plan and the governor’s proposal, asserting the governor’s proposal undercuts Maine’s families and communities.

“The ‘Better Deal’ is a long awaited investment in Maine’s middle class instead of failed trickle-down economics,” said Johnson.

Johnson reported that every tax cut and spending initiative in the Democrats’ plan is fully paid for now and into the future. In contrast, the governor’s proposal creates a $300 million revenue shortfall by 2019.

Property taxes were on most people’s minds, which was no surprise to Johnson.

“When I meet with voters in their homes, in Augusta, or during my monthly office hours around the district, the tax that people complain about most is property tax,” said Johnson. He cited the “Better Deal” increase in revenue sharing to $80 million each year of the budget cycle, 2016 and 2017, the doubling the Homestead Exemption for all homeowners, and the investment of an additional $20 million in education.

“Cutting property taxes is what people need most,” said Johnson. “The ‘Better Deal’ will reduce every homeowners’ property taxes, with cuts averaging $300 more than under the governor’s plan. It provides $120 million in property tax relief overall."

A questioner asked about the governor’s assertion that his plan cuts everyone’s income taxes an average of several hundred dollars.

“Not John’s, who is working two or three jobs struggling to support his family, or for Mary’s, a single mother raising her children alone,” Johnson said. “The governor’s plan gives half of all income tax cuts to the wealthiest 10 percent of Mainers, and the top one percent would get an average tax cut of $10,000. When you weigh any savings in income tax against increases in property tax under the governor’s plan, most taxpayers lose.”

In response to a comment about the governor’s claim that cutting corporate taxes would make Maine more competitive seeming misleading, Johnson agreed.

“Independent studies show the top two criteria companies consider when relocating are finding infrastructure that meets their needs and a skilled workforce,” said Johnson. “These studies also show that tax rates are much less important, in fact, they are several items down their list. Maine is well known for its strong work ethic, but the governor’s proposal fails to invest in education so our workers can prepare for today’s jobs, and it fails to make much needed improvements in our roads and bridges and communications infrastructure.”

Also discussed at the meeting was LD 1340, a bill introduced in the Maine Legislature by State Sen. David Burns (R-Whiting) that would ostensibly protect religious freedom, but could also be used to justify discrimination. LD 1340 is nearly identical in substance to bills in a number of other states, including Indiana and Arkansas. Voting unanimously, all LCDC members present agreed to forward to the Maine Legislature and the press a resolution that was moved by former U.S. Ambassador Dean Curran, Damariscotta, and seconded by LCDC Treasurer Sandie O’Farrell, Waldoboro, and Dr. Edmee DeJean, Newcastle.

The resolution reads: Lincoln County Democrats meeting April 13, 2015 commended Lincoln County legislators who have opposed misguided legislative initiatives purporting to protect religious freedom, including LD 1428 introduced in the last legislature by Sen. David Burns (R-Whiting). Lincoln County Democrats call on the Maine Legislature to oppose vigorously the 2015 version of Sen. Burns’ bill, (LD 1340) or any amended version or alternative bill that could in any way justify or legalize discrimination in Maine by public or private entities on the grounds of purported religious freedom.

Two upcoming events for Lincoln County Democrats include a pork loin dinner and social event on May 2 at Mobius from 5 to 7 p.m. The next LCDC meeting will be on Monday, May 18 in the 911 Communications Building, Wiscasset. Guest speaker Shenna Bellows, former executive director of the ACLU of Maine and candidate for U.S. Senate, will lead a discussion on ranked choice voting — the method used in Portland’s last mayoral race and one that is gaining interest around the U.S. Her presentation will be followed by a straw preference poll among potential candidates for the Democratic nomination for president. Ranked choice voting procedures will be used to determine the poll winner.

For more information about the Democrat’s budget plan versus the governor’s proposal, please go to Senator Johnson’s website, www.senatorchrisjohnson.org and click “On Issues,” his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/StateSenatorChrisJohnson, or the website, www.betterdeal.me.

For more information, about LCDC, please go to its website, www.lincolncountydemocrats.com, or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lincolncountydems.