Defeat LD 1034!

At this time of year we are reminded that Maine’s road need attention, but raising the gas tax by more than 20 percent, plus raising the fees on several driving-related services of the Secretary of State’s office is not the way to pay for repairs.

This bill inconsistently increases fees charged by the Secretary of State for driver’s license examinations, temporary license plates, nondriver identification cards, duplicate registrations, titles, driver’s licenses, nondriver identification cards and transfers of registrations. Some fees are raised 20 percent, others just 6 percent.

It increases the sales tax on the short-term rental of cars, vans and trucks from 10 percent to 12 percent.

Beginning this October 1, it increases the tax imposed on gasoline from 29.5 cents to 36.5 cents per gallon—a more than 20 percent increase— and the tax imposed on special fuel to 37.7 cents per gallon.

Rather than look for savings and innovate to improve our roads, the sponsors of this bill are taking the easy way out: raising taxes and fees.

Sponsored by Presented by Representative McLEAN of Gorham. Cosponsored by Representatives: MARTIN of Greene, PEOPLES of Westbrook, TEPLER of Topsham, WARREN of Hallowell.

The hearing at the Taxation Committee has not yet been scheduled, but you can still contact the committee members and let them know your thoughts on this bill.

LD 1034 An Act To Provide Revenue To Fix and Rebuild Maine’s Transportation Infrastructure