LePage urges lawmakers to alter voter initiatives on minimum wage and tax surcharge

[jpak]

http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/12/07/lepage-urges-lawmakers-to-alter-voter-approved-ballot-initiatives-on-minimum-wage-and-tax-surcharge/

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage swore in members of the 128th Legislature on Wednesday, but not before urging lawmakers to change two referendum measures passed by Maine voters in November.

LePage said the ballot initiatives to raise Maine’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020 and to impose a 3 percent tax surcharge on individual income above $200,000 a year will hurt the state’s economy. He said the tax surcharge, which will fund education programs, is already prompting wealthy Mainers to explore moving to income tax-free New Hampshire, while the minimum wage hike will harm small businesses and elderly residents living on a fixed income.

“We all accept the will of the people. But first, as sworn elected officials, we must not do harm to our economy,” LePage told newly elected senators.

LePage’s remarks, which he delivered before administering the oath of office to lawmakers, added a political edge to a largely ceremonial day when lawmakers pose for pictures with their families and elect leaders and key legislative staff. They also underscored the especially unpredictable nature of the session, in part because of ramifications from the Nov. 8 referendum votes.

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[zippythepinhead]

1. meh

those poor rich people. my heart bleeds for them.

[eShirl]

2. legal non-medical marijuana biz's will be a shot in the arm for the economy though

if other states' examples hold true here

[PatsFan87]

3. As a resident of Maine, I'm still waiting for him to move.

He said if these two initiatives passed, he'd leave the state. I feel like he should be a man of his word. I mean, how can we trust him now?