County legislator criticizes legislation he supported
By Rep. Tyler Clark
It’s not surprising to see Rep. John Martin attacking his Republican colleagues, particularly in an election year. What is unusual is to see him criticize the very legislation he voted for.
In his recent editorial “Maine’s economy shrinks under GOP control,” Martin takes aim at the tax cuts passed by the 125th Legislature, the largest tax cut in the state’s history. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, he voted in favor of the budget that produced this tax relief, and he voted for it when it reached the floor of the House of Representatives. In fact, Martin supported five of the six budgets passed by the 125th Legislature.
He should be proud of his votes. The reasoning behind the tax cuts was simple: Maine’s citizens are better stewards of their own hard-earned money than bureaucrats in Augusta. And contrary to what Martin claims, the tax cuts do not only benefit “the wealthiest 20 percent of Mainers.” They benefit Mainers in every income category.
According to Maine Revenue Services, 460,000 Maine families will see an average tax decrease of $337 in 2013. More than 70,000 low- and moderate-income filers will end up paying no state taxes at all, as a result of the tax reform. This is refreshing news for a state that is constantly ranked among the highest in the nation for tax burden.
Rep. Martin also takes aim at the responsible steps the Republican-led legislature took to get the state’s spending under control. But when his party controlled the Statehouse, spending on Medicaid skyrocketed, 35 percent above the national average and well beyond Maine’s ability to pay. As a result, past legislatures had to scramble nearly every year to cover shortfalls in the state’s Medicaid budget. To fill the holes, cuts were made to vital public services such as public safety, roads and education.
Republicans took the bold step of confronting the source of the problem – overspending. By making the necessary structural changes to the Department of Health and Human Services’ budget, we will be able to live within our means and, at the same, time, protect the state’s safety net for those who need it most.
Rep. Martin and I share a common concern about the cost of health insurance in northern Maine. The 125th Legislature passed much-needed reform that introduces more competition into the health insurance market. This has already been directly linked to substantial decreases in premiums. The new law allows insurance companies to offer lower rates to younger customers, bringing them back into the market.
Unfortunately, Aroostook County and other areas with older populations have not seen substantial decreases. In fact, some have seen their premiums increase.
Rising premiums were the norm before Maine’s new health insurance law took effect. But they are still unacceptable. That’s why I was glad to see Rep. Martin join me in supporting LD 1670, a Republican bill designed to ensure that all Mainers, particularly older people living in rural areas, will benefit from the new insurance legislation. This bill was signed into law at the end of the most recent legislative session.
After 40 years of mismanagement under Democrat control in the Legislature, Maine is finally moving in the right direction. It’s unfortunate to see Rep. Martin disparage the gains we have made. But, again, it is an election year.
Rep. Tyler Clark (R-Easton) is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives, representing District 6, which includes Blaine, Bridgewater, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Mars Hill and Westfield.
