March 21, 2008
New poll on taxes raises questions
A recent poll shows that 84% of Mainers think the state should reduce spending to fill a budget hole, but several lawmakers immediately denounced the poll because of the company that paid for it: cigarette maker Philip Morris.
Critics of the poll say it was designed to make a case against a proposed cigarette tax increase to help stem the $190 million budget deficit in Maine and soften proposed cuts to human services programs, according to the Ellsworth American. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree was quoted as saying, "Today, two dozen business executives and lobbyists in expensive suits delivered a poll that they had paid for by a cigarette company and said they didn't want to share the pain."
But Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors said, while questions might arise about who paid for the poll, its findings were hard to overlook. The poll shows 84% of the 804 Mainers polled in February said the state should reduce spending, and 83% said Maine's taxes were higher than other states.
Critics of the poll say it was designed to make a case against a proposed cigarette tax increase to help stem the $190 million budget deficit in Maine and soften proposed cuts to human services programs, according to the Ellsworth American. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree was quoted as saying, "Today, two dozen business executives and lobbyists in expensive suits delivered a poll that they had paid for by a cigarette company and said they didn't want to share the pain."
But Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors said, while questions might arise about who paid for the poll, its findings were hard to overlook. The poll shows 84% of the 804 Mainers polled in February said the state should reduce spending, and 83% said Maine's taxes were higher than other states.
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