Maine is my adopted state, although it is no less beloved for that. For nearly a decade I have lived here, worked elsewhere and paid my (considerable) income taxes in Maine.

Now the voters have passed a ballot question that places a 3 percent surcharge on incomes over $200,000 per year. This change makes Maine’s individual income tax rate the second-highest in the country.

The Maine Heritage Policy Center estimates that the surcharge will cost the state 4,000 private jobs and $265 million in disposable income. It certainly will cost Maine my income.

Effective at the end of 2016, I will retire and take my earned income down dramatically (and below the $200,000 threshold). In addition, I will start to draw Social Security. So my fellow Maine residents will go from receiving significant income taxes from me to contributing their taxes to pay me. Good work, Maine.

Jeff D. Emerson

Portland


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