Some time ago, in a letter to the editor (“Like Florida, Maine can creatively tax tourists,” June 17), it was suggested that Maine should double the present 30-cent state gas tax during the six-month tourist season and eliminate the tax for the remaining six months.
With prices falling over 50 cents a gallon as opposed to last year, and still falling, this may be the right to time to consider this proposal.
I recently stayed at a hotel in Connecticut, where I paid 18 percent occupancy tax as opposed to Maine’s 8 percent. I think it’s about time to revisit this tax.
To those who fear this may discourage tourism: I’ve found that most people I know ask about the room rate but never the tax involved. Nor do they change their plans because of the gas tax.
Robert A. Ryan
Portland
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