Maine House Rejects Effort to Eliminate Income Tax

The Democratic-controlled House has rejected Gov. LePage's effort

The Maine House of Representatives has rejected Gov. Paul LePage's effort to abolish the income tax.

The Democratic-controlled House voted 82-64 against the Republican governor's proposal on Monday.

LePage wants to amend the constitution to prohibit the state from collecting the income tax beginning in 2020. Constitutional amendments need two-thirds support in both chambers to pass and must be approved by voters.

Analysts have estimated that doing away with the income tax would cost the state $1.7 billion a year.

Democrats say that such a move would force massive cuts to education and social programs. But Republicans say that voters should get to have a say on the issue.

The measure now heads to the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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