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September 20, 2011
Augusta–The Legislature’s Taxation Committee is launching a new effort to make Maine’s tax code more fair. Rep. Don Pilon, D–Saco, has been named as one of the three members who will work on a subcommittee to solicit ideas and suggestions from the public.
“I am excited to serve on this subcommittee,” said Pilon. “I am hopeful that we can help focus the work of the full committee on specific ideas and proposals that will gain widespread support and be fully paid for.”
The subcommittee was recently formed and charged with holding a series of small group discussions on tax reform. The committee will be inviting individuals who have extensive experience in state tax matters to speak with the committee. Each discussion will include a small group of outside experts as well as the three members of the subcommittee, Sen. Richard Woodbury I-Yarmouth, Rep. Gary Knight R-Livermore, and Rep. Pilon. Pilon indicated that the goal is to foster a very interactive conversation to brainstorm and discuss the best ideas.
The subcommittee will invite economists, accountants and financial advisors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and others to seek their perspective on the key problems with Maine’s current tax structure, and the composition of reforms that would be most effective in energizing Maine’s economy.
Pilon expects that some topics likely to receive considerable discussion will include; the desirable balance of income, sales and property taxes; the importance of Maine’s many tax exemptions, deductions, exclusions, credits, reimbursements and refund programs; and Maine’s current reliance on a narrow tax base.
“This is a great way to sort out not only what is possible but what makes the most sense,” said Pilon. “It will put the full committee in the best possible position to recommend legislation for the upcoming session this January.”
The discussions will take place in the Tax Committee room in the State House with the first meeting set for Monday September 26th and subsequent meetings scheduled for, October 12th and 26th.
Contact:
Jodi Quintero [Pilon] - 287-1488, c. 841-6279