The vote in favor of Question 1A and, if passed June 2004 when it comes back before voters, would increase taxes or cut programs.
The town valuations could rise, putting added cost on the homeowners and manufacturing companies. The state will have to cut about $250 million from its present under-funded budget. Think about this bill next time it comes up for vote.
The race track slot machines will pay a very small percent of money to the poor and elderly after the state divides their share between different agencies. I believe the state will spend more money policing the race tracks than they will receive. This vote has very little benefit to the state of Maine and its taxpayers.
The passed bond issues will spend $89 million with no accountability to Maine taxpayers. Only the transportation bond has any accountability by public meetings and projects built with their funds. The present accounting system could stand some improvement. It’s time to account to the Maine taxpayers where and how our bond monies are spent.
If the casino vote would have passed, millions of dollars could be used to pay for Question 1A education funding. The property tax, employee taxes and other revenue would have greatly helped the local and state economy.
New Hampshire now can build a casino just over the state line and reap the benefits as they do now with shoppers from western Maine.
Richard A. McInnis, Rumford
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