To the editor:
The citizens of Harpswell and all other island property owners deserve a reduction in the taxes levied for school funding, which heavily relies on property valuation rather than on income, the fairer measure. Harpswell does not have the opportunity to shelter valuation in TIFs and our population’s household income has decreased in all but the over $100,000 category.
We also have limited affordable housing opportunities for our youthful citizens.
Further, the ownership of our higher priced properties is heavily out of state.
L.D. 951 ignores the fact that those not participating in the program will be carrying an increased tax burden to offset the property tax savings of those participating. This shift in tax burden to already stressed lower income households is unconscionable. (The “time line” used to justify the L.D. 951 and L.D. 938 self funding is based on Tree Farm not waterfront real estate data.
Those who have caused this explosion in waterfront real estate are the ones who should correct it. A constitutional amendment for retroactive application of higher mil rates would be very acceptable to the majority of voters who do not have the means to acquire not only waterfront but also inland property.
Fair share taxation for all!!!
Dan Boland
Bailey Island