Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s Two Year Budget Proposal Continues to Ruffle Feathers! [POLL]

While Governor Paul LePage defends his two year budget proposal, he's also ruffling a lot feathers along the way.

The proposal would end "revenue sharing" for cities and towns, much needed money that municipalities currently use for their respected school systems and town services.  The proposal would also end the "Homestead Tax Exemption", a feature that shaves some money from resident's tax bills.

While the governor says this would save the state almost $200 million, many critics say that the financial burden would be shifted to property taxpayers: you and I.

Today, news spreads quickly that the governor, one of the nation's least popular, would like to use $14 million dollars in "casino money" from Maine's two casinos to help fill a $112 million dollar shortfall in the state's "general fund".  This casino money is currently being used for Maine's public schools, which in turn is keeping your property taxes at their current level, which certainly at this point alone is not "low" level.

It all sounds like "robbing Peter to pay Paul", or does it?

What we do know is that in this day and age, raises to people's paychecks are few and far between.  Couple this up with the 2-percent F.I.C.A. tax increase (Social Security withholding), and there's a lot of good Maine residents feeling very broke. They have no more money to give.

We know that the Governor is a business man, and business "isn't personal" like Donald Trump likes to say.  Government on the other hand is very personal, can we remember "We The People"?

The Governor says that it's not an "automatic" that local towns and cities would be raising property taxes if his budget proposal is passed.  Although, this past Wednesday night officials in South Portland said it would increase property tax bills there by about 5%.

Does it sound to you like  s**t rolling downhill?

Sounds like the money has to come from  somewhere. Would you rather the state up their withholding from your paycheck, or would you rather put up with a significant increase to your tax  bill?

We'd like your opinion.