Dear Fellow Taxpayer,

Election Day is nearly upon us and we wanted to take this last opportunity to encourage you to get out there and vote! Mainers will vote on several policies that could have national implications. Citizens in your state can send a message: if smaller government and lower taxes can win in Maine, they can win anywhere!

To help you sort out fact from fiction, your team at the National Taxpayers Union put together a Ballot Guide (PDF format) that covers more than 40 initiative and referendum measures in 12 states. Among the proposals highlighted are two very important initiatives in Maine.

  • Question 4 would establish a landmark "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" that would limit state expenditures and require voter approval for tax increases. While there has been a concerted (and very well-funded) campaign by unions and bureaucrats in opposition, this measure would allow government to grow every year, just not faster than Mainers can afford.
  • Question 2 would reduce vehicle taxes on many Mainers and would eliminate them entirely on hybrids and other "green" vehicles. This would provide tax relief to the vast majority of Maine residents.

    • Maine is one of the premier battleground states for fiscal measures this year. If these two important initiatives were to pass, they would place Maine on the forefront of taxpayer protection and would serve as a model for states across the country seeking reasonable limits on government. We'd like to note that NTU's Ballot Guide is for educational purposes only; it is not intended to provide endorsements or recommendations to voters. We hope it will serve as a useful resource for additional information.

    Election Day is November 3, 2009. Remember to vote!