Executive Director of Maine Center for Economic Policy Garrett Martin, Waldoboro Town Manager John Spear, Whitefield selectman Dennis Merrill and Newcastle selectman Ellen Dickens will be guest speakers at the Lincoln County Democrats' next meeting.

The focus will be on the cuts to programs and services that local residents could expect as a result of Gov. LePage's proposed budget and likely increases in property taxes.  The meeting, open to all, will be at the Waldoboro Town Office, 1600 Atlantic Avenue (Route 1) on Wednesday, April 24. A 30-minute social gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting gets underway at 7 p.m.

Martin, who joined MECEP in 2009 and has been a strong voice for Maine's prosperity, testified in opposition to several parts of the Governor's budget at two recent legislative hearings.  He is expected to speak about the reasons for Maine's budgetary shortfall, the impacts of the proposed budget on low- and middle-income taxpayers, and some alternative solutions that are available.  

Spear, Merrill and Dickens will discuss impacts of the proposed budget on more local levels, talking about specific changes that will impact the lives of Lincoln County residents, and they will answer questions from the floor.

For more information about MECEP and a summary of specific budget cuts of concern, go to www.mecep.org, click on Fair Budget and Taxes, and scroll to "Recent Publications."  For more information about the Lincoln County Democratic Committee, go to www.lincolncountydemocrats.com/.