STATE HOUSE
Bill would allow voluntary taxation
By Susan M. Cover scover@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer
AUGUSTA -- A legislator's proposal to allow Mainers to voluntarily contribute money to pay for state social services gained traction Tuesday in the Taxation Committee.
Rep. Terry Hayes, D-Buckfield, sponsor of L.D. 1785, "An Act to Bolster Maine's Social Safety Net through Voluntary Sales Tax Contributions," said in testimony before the committee Tuesday the idea is a compromise, between budget cuts that would take money out of social services and raising taxes on those who cannot afford it.
"There are those of us who, by virtue of our blessings, are not choosing between medicine and groceries," she said.
For those people, a secure system in which donations could be taken from a bank account and transferred to the state would be a good option, she said.
Hayes found bipartisan support for her idea, from Rep. Henry Joy, R-Crystal, and Senate Minority Leader Jonathan Courtney, R-Springvale.
Joy, a member of the Health and Human Services Committee, said well more than 100 people who testified in opposition to state budget cuts called for a tax increase.
"This is their chance," he said. "They can tax themselves."
Several members of the Taxation Committee said they are likely to support the bill but wanted to get more information from Maine Revenue Services before voting on it. The vote is now scheduled for Thursday.
Money donated by citizens to the "voluntary safety net fund" would support nursing facilities, mental health services, services for theelderly, and services for those with developmental disabilities. An amendment proposed by Hayes calls for the fund to dissolve in 2015 unless a future Legislature takes action to continue it.
"For those people who say, 'Raise my taxes,' maybe we can find a way for them to pay more," she said.
Susan Cover -- 620-7015
scover@centralmaine.com
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form
Most...
Copyright ©2010 MaineToday Media, Inc.
23 COMMENTS
Cooper said...
Right, like I want to give more money to the Baldacci fund.
March 3, 2010 at 3:56 AM Report abuse
Cooper said...
Right, like I want to give more money to the Baldacci fund.
March 3, 2010 at 3:56 AM Report abuse
BillyFiske said...
If passed this will end up like the voluntary income tax programs such as Massachusetts'. People talk a good talk about wanting to pay more taxes but when it comes to actually pay up they disappear.
March 3, 2010 at 7:05 AM Report abuse
sickofit said...
Unbelievable...I would donate money to get these fools out of Augusta...not for more taxes....they are spending their time on this garbage instead of looking at places to cut Baldacci's foolishness...
March 3, 2010 at 7:08 AM Report abuse
trollmunster said...
Why would anyone give money to incompetent spenders?
March 3, 2010 at 7:11 AM Report abuse
taxmesomore said...
Sponsors and supporters of this bill should be required to undergo psychiatric evaluations at Riverview!
March 3, 2010 at 7:31 AM Report abuse
Rap-ice said...
Now everyone who took part in the public outcry against the budget cuts can donate their share..... What - no takers?
March 3, 2010 at 7:45 AM Report abuse
Aldin said...
Um...hello? We already have a voluntary tax here in Maine. It's called the state lottery. If you are one of the few to "win", that's a voluntary tax refund.
March 3, 2010 at 8:00 AM Report abuse
ProConserv said...
NEVER...EVER...elect, trust or believe a democrat, liberal or progressive! and this latest brilliance is why!
March 3, 2010 at 8:06 AM Report abuse
Hipupchuck said...
This is good for the people who are crying that they are not paying enough taxes. Cough it up. And I'd like a portion of my federal income tax set aside for abortion.
March 3, 2010 at 8:06 AM Report abuse
Riccur said...
Can you actual use the word voluntary and taxation in the same sentence??? This is too funny. Dear supporters of this bill I think you could raise more money selling what you are smoking than this bill will ever generate.
March 3, 2010 at 8:29 AM Report abuse
dude said...
there,s a sucker born every minute and ten to take his money .
March 3, 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse
SiddFinch said...
We don't need a law for those that feel there should be more taxes to make a voluntary donation. Reminds me of a poster on a board during the 2000 election. She had several links in her signature where donations were requested for several nonprofit help groups. When it came time to discuss Bush's proposed tax cuts she said she was against them because she & her husband would be getting $3,000 and they would just waste it. Guess the places to donate in her signature were just window dressing pretending that she cared.
March 3, 2010 at 8:55 AM Report abuse
Jazz11 said...
Maybe the Yes on 1 bigots that spent many millions of dollars to deprive Mainers of their rights can contribute to a truly worthy cause.
March 3, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
ProConserv said...
Jazz11, We YES on 1 americans did and we are proud of it too!
March 3, 2010 at 9:43 AM Report abuse
Blackacre said...
If you folks in Maine give to to this fund you are like a person who buys a drink for an alcoholic.
March 3, 2010 at 9:58 AM Report abuse
melinuxfool said...
Well, if any of you actually volunteer to pay more taxes, be sure and let me know. I've got a sweet deal on some ocean-front property in Vermont I could sell you. ;)
March 3, 2010 at 10:18 AM Report abuse
CommomSense said...
Volunteer??? to GIVE money to the state....some people need re-education camp. You already "volunteer" your money...it's called local, county, state and federal taxation. If you really want to feel good and donate to a cause, I'm more than willing to accept...please reply to this post and I'll contact your Nigerian royal relatives and will it back to you at 100 times your donation..... you know...like those scammers. I'll call it "A fool and his money are soon parted".
March 3, 2010 at 10:37 AM Report abuse
goodone said...
Good luck with that! I think there is way too many in the state house with medical marijuana prescriptions.
March 3, 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse
Jadessa said...
Yeah sure we are willing to give up our hard earned dollars so others don't have to work! God forbid they should have to get out and do a days work for their cigarettes and booze
March 3, 2010 at 11:39 AM Report abuse
goodone said...
A fool and his money are soon parted. They already get a voluntary payment from every tax payer. It's called state withholding, the feds get it too. I suggest that every Mainer have just the minimum withheld from their checks. Obama touted a cut in the amount of federal withholding as his tax break for the middle class to spur economic growth. Lets all give it a try! These folks are money hungry and power drunk. Fix the problems that the state is aready facing before taking one cent more in debt.
March 3, 2010 at 1:43 PM Report abuse
TJ said...
I will send in my voluntary tax contribution when the liberals in the State Legislature volunteer to cut spending by resigning and reducing its size permanently!
March 3, 2010 at 2:21 PM Report abuse
sue-b-do said...
How much does it cost to bring a bill to legislature? Although I understand the sentiment of letting those who want to pat more taxes do so without requiring it of all of us- anyone can simply donate money to supplement services of their choice.
March 5, 2010 at 7:30 AM Report abuse