Maine's Tax System: Time for a Change?

Maine is facing a big problem. Taxes are going up. Counties are asking for more money. But people are saying no to school budgets. This is not just a few small issues. It is a big problem with how Maine pays for things. Counties like Penobscot, Knox, York, and Washington are seeing big cost increases. Jails, public safety, and other services are getting more expensive. Penobscot County has a big problem with jail costs. Knox County towns are facing a 14% budget increase. Washington County has been putting off decisions for years. York County's costs are also going up. At the same time, people are voting against school budgets. This is not because they don't care about education. It is because they can't afford more taxes. When everything costs more, families reach a limit.Maine relies too much on property taxes. These taxes pay for roads, schools, and other services. But when costs go up, property taxes have to cover everything. Counties have few options. They can't diversify their income. So, when costs rise, taxes spike suddenly. Pandemic relief money helped for a while. But that money is gone now. Inflation is still here. Many costs are permanent. The Legislature needs to act now. They should shift some costs to the state. Things like jails and courts are state responsibilities. They should also stabilize education funding. And they should modernize the tax system. Property taxes are not fair. They don't reflect people's ability to pay. This is not about bad management. It is about a system that is out of date. The Legislature should act before things get worse.