Document Type

White Paper

Publisher

University of Maine Bureau of Labor Education

Publication Date

Summer 2002

Publisher location

Orono, Maine

Abstract/ Summary

There is no shortage of analyses of the problems of Maine’s economy, or of proposed solutions. Once again, a number of recent reports have argued that Maine has a highly unfavorable business climate, characterized by excessive taxes and excessive regulation. These reports go on to argue that Maine must improve its business climate through such suggested changes as an overhaul of the tax system, elimination of property taxes on business equipment purchases, reducing the state’s regulatory burden, and reducing Maine’s supposedly high “tax burden.” Although the support for these proposals is framed as being “irrefutable,” in reality many of the analyses are based on questionable data and methodologies. Other data also cast doubt on the idea of a “crisis” in Maine’s business climate. And it seems reasonable to ask whether the proposed reforms would truly benefit the state as a whole, or whether they would primarily benefit a small number of large corporations which stand to gain disproportionately from these changes.

Version

publisher's version of the published document

Rights and Access Note

This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for non-commercial uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). For more information, contact Special Collections.

Download

Share

 

Rights Statement

In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted