Letters

Published
April 11, 2016

Letter to the editor: All Mainers share the duty of making our state attractive

We all know some of those folks who admit they purposely let their house get rundown to keep their property taxes low. They let junk cars pile up in their front yards, even when a scrap dealer would gladly pay them for the metal. Their homes are an eyesore, and the tourists must hate this […]
Published
April 11, 2016

Letter to the editor: Credit governor for being straight shooter on ranges

It was refreshing to read the article regarding the shooting range issue in Maine (“Gov. LePage signs shooting range protection into law,” April 6). Congratulations to our state representatives and senators for listening to voices of the people they serve and acting upon those wishes. I thank them for using common sense – something severely […]
Published
April 11, 2016

Letter to the editor: Maine won’t save money by not expanding drug treatment

In response to “Maine Voices: Federal Medicaid expansion funds would help ease drug crisis” (April 3): Passage of the bill to accept federal Medicaid expansion funds, L.D. 633, would provide affordable insurance to nearly 70,000 low-income Mainers, opening up access to primary and preventive health care and substance abuse and mental health treatment. For those […]
Published
April 11, 2016

Letter to the editor: Despite departures, South Portland is geared up for success

There’s been a lot of talk about the business climate in South Portland. Two discount stores have moved, and a medical practice is relocating. I’m saddened to see those businesses moving away, and I wish they could’ve stayed. But make no mistake: The good news outweighs the bad. Two recent examples: MAC Jets built an […]
Published
April 10, 2016

Letter to the editor: Our lawmakers, governor should advance clean energy

The legislative discussions on the solar bill, L.D. 1649, are falling victim to the same ideological conflicts that make Congress totally ineffective. But climate change isn’t liberal or conservative. It’s about the world we are leaving our children and grandchildren. The argument against L.D. 1649 is that it will increase utility rates and therefore harm […]

Published
April 10, 2016

Letter to the editor: Lawmakers should fully fund Clean Election system

Once again, the Maine Legislature is on track to shortchange the Maine Clean Election Fund. Despite a double-digit win for the Clean Elections initiative in November, Maine voters are still waiting for full funding of the robust Clean Election system they desire. Lawmakers have a challenging job. They must balance many competing priorities and determine […]
Published
April 10, 2016

Letter to the editor: Health care insurer’s decision shows why we need Sanders

I’m one of the small-time donors supporting the quixotic campaign of Bernie Sanders. That immediately tells you that in matters of grave importance, such as the future presidency of the United States, I listen to my heart even though I agree with the rational arguments of friends. As a physician whose career has been devoted […]
Published
April 10, 2016

Letter to the editor: Downeaster service from Portland to Brunswick too costly for light use

There’s a clear difference in thinking between air and rail transportation planners. A 20-year master plan for Portland’s airport (March 9) “expects passenger volume to increase by nearly 40 percent by 2036,” noting that a “greater percentage of those passengers will be carried by larger airplanes” because of the cost-effectiveness of high-capacity vehicles. This is […]
Published
April 9, 2016

Letter to the editor: Abolish special issue votes, publicize all referendums

How odd that on April 6, half of the front page of your Local & State section was spent, with photographs, telling us: “Voters overwhelmingly approve bond for rebuilding Hall School.” That would be the overwhelming majority of the 4 percent of Portland voters who cast ballots. And how even more odd that, during the […]
Published
April 9, 2016

Letter to the editor: Simplify tax code and forms to cut out middle men

It cost me more to get a tax preparer than to pay my income tax. I would gladly pay a higher tax, with fewer deductions, if the Internal Revenue Service forms were simple enough for me to do them. That way, the government would get more money and I would save money. Making the tax […]

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Letters