Preserving The American Political Philosophy

Testimony by  Beth O'Connor Before the Maine Congressional Committee January 8th 2014 Thank you Senator Hill , Representative Rotundo, ladies and gentlemen of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee for taking my testimony on "An Act to Repeal Bonding Authority of the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority." My name is Beth O'Connor. I am the Chairman for Maine Taxpayers United and am here as a representative for our board of directors and members in favor of supporting LD # 790 Sponsored by Representative Sirocki. Every day in the newspapers, magazines, social media, etc. we see that the Maine legislative body is struggling to find solutions to pay current debt and all of our mandatory obligations, not to mention our moral obligations. We are all aware that all debt incurred by us today, will be paid for by our children and grandchildren. It is up to all of us to ensure the obligations placed on the future are not only prudent, bu

This was posted on The Maine Taxpayers United FaceBook Page, which is becoming an excellent group doing very relevant work for this state: This is a description of how the system works which you are unlikely to find revealed in our Maine main stream media: We will need to keep an eye on the Taxation Committee as they have been charged with helping to fill the “structural gaps” created by the budget passed this session. As stated in the last email, they are trying to find revenue by “closing some loopholes” put in place by previous legislatures. They also have floated “temporary tax increases” in several other areas including lodging and recreation services. The pieces of legislation being considered have been introduced as “Draft Concept” bills. These submissions are offered to have a place for consideration and usually are crafted by the committee. So you won’t know what is going to be included unless you attend the “work sessions” in the committees. This is where the term offere

If you are wondering why I am missing in action these days, it's because I have been working on launching the Preserving The American Political Philosophy website, which is almost set to go. But this is another issue too important to miss. An Act To Repeal the Bonding Authority of the Maine Governmental Facilities Authority Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: Sec. 1. 4 MRSA §1604, sub-§10,  as enacted by PL 1987, c. 438, §1, is amended to read: 10.  Provide for financing or refinancing.   To provide financing for any project, projects or part of any project or to provide for refinancing of existing indebtedness, and, for the financing of the project, projects or part of any project and of other necessary and usual attendant facilities, to borrow money and to issue negotiable securities and to provide for the rights of the holders of those securities issued by the authority prior to October 1, 2013. Beginning Octob

This is a video of a woman valiantly fighting for her freedom of speech at a Hampden, Maine Town Council meeting. Despite threats to call the police if she didn't stop expressing her views, she prevailed as a public citizen protesting the town council's expenditure's of the taxpayers money, reminding them that it comes out of the pockets of the people. As a function of posting this video on As Maine Goes, which is still active at this time, The names of the two people in this encounter have been identified: Quoting from the As Maine Goes discussion: Vic Berardelli : "The name of the woman speaking in the video is Kristin Hornbeck , who once sat on the Hampden Town Council." This has been corrected- The woman's name is Kirsten Hornbrook. Three Pipe Problem ; " I believe Thomas B. Brann is the Chair , demonstrating either an infantile grasp of Robert's Rules or a deliberate abuse of them. How can this guy sleep at night? I hope he does the rig

I have been busy lately with our ceramics business and with some new ideas for expanding the mission of this blog, however a very important change in our legislature's tax policies is now under consideration making this a moment when it is exceptionally important to  keep the conversation going ! I have not located the actual proposals yet, mysteriously, all the links in this Portland PressHerald article are non-functioning but here is the story from the Herald by Steve Mistler, of all people! Maine tax panel will release suggestions for savings Monday  The Legislature has attempted similar reviews in the past with little success. However, this time some believed that the self-inflicted budget gap would provide an incentive for lawmakers to push through recommendations that have been traditionally politically unpopular. Additionally, the budget provision is written in a way that would take the $40 million out of the state fund that provides municipal aid if the Leg

Just in time for the upcoming election season, Scott Fish, owner of As Maine Goes announced that As Maine Goes is coming to an end. Word has it Mr Fish took began working  a state job in 2010. As part of  the job terms Mr Fish agreed to refrain from posting on As Maine Goes. (Now confirmed HERE that Mr Fish is compelled by his job to let go of AMG .) The timing of the closing of AS Maine Goes, in advance of the upcoming election season, invites speculation about what goes on behind the scenes. Mr Fish is willing to sell As Maine Goes and so we hope that this will come about through another party dedicated to the tradition of a people's voice, rather than falling into the hands of the Maine main stream media with its selectively narrow agenda dictating and manipulating the public narrative in these political times- such as the recent shallow and politically partisan coverage of  the Expanded and Improved Seed Capital Tax Credit. Maine needs much better, in fact it is the

We did It ! Boothbay is NO Brunswick! TIFs transform the purpose of property taxes from covering expenditures of municipal services into risky capital investment funds designed to eventually replace many of the current property owners with a wealthier class of citizens. Beware our nearby neighboring town which has the audacity to call itself The Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority. Who gave this town such authority? Certainly not the Maine State Constituion ! The little town of the MRRA is funded by state and federal taxpayer dollars but cannot even provide for its own municipal services! It uses the political clout of concentrated wealth for its own economic development all designed to benefit the legislature "targeted sector" ie- the "above average" economic sector" . The MRRA is not governed by the Maine State Constitution but by the Rule of Law of Global Capitalism. Don't let the MRRA and/or their ilk turn the Boothbay Peninsula into the ex