Voters should reject Question 1, relating to universal home care. Though one may see the need for a program like that, it is seriously flawed.
How it is to be funded is ambiguous. The actual text of the initiative requires “High earners” to pay a surtax, with the term never defined. It could be individuals, joint filers, business owners, etc.
Another problem is with eligibility. Under eligibility, the text states “All seniors living in this state and all persons with a disability living in this state are eligible for services …”
That means any senior from anywhere could come to Maine to access that benefit. That should be for Mainers only and, additionally, with no income requirement, it makes no sense to tax the “high earners” and then give them the same benefit when the purpose is to provide support for those who can’t afford it.
Also, a new bureaucracy would be set up that would establish its own procedures and rules.
Because of these, and other problems, the Portland Press Herald, surprisingly but understandably, urges “No on Question 1: Plan lacks oversight (Oct. 24, 2018).”
Robert Casimiro, Bridgton
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