Four Island Institute trustees who are year-round island residents have expressed the view that the proposed tax cap on this fall’s referendum ballot poses a direct threat to key island institutions, such as schools and libraries, that make up the fabric of a sustainable year round island community.
The reasons behind the opposition vary from place to place. For one trustee, loss of local control was the issue, along with the feeling that islands within the City of Portland would be hit by an abnormally high percentage of the cuts.
The city has outlined school closures for the Portland islands should the tax cap pass.
Another trustee expressed frustration with unfunded mandates. He said he would love to send a message to Augusta, but not at the expense of community services. There was opposition even on islands where the tax cap would not have an immediate impact due to low mill rates because of inevitable hikes in income and sales taxes down the road. Even trustees that might favor the tax cap personally felt the Institute should oppose it because it would threaten key community institutions.
All said they were disappointed with the Baldacci Administration’s inability to act on the issue before it went out to referendum.