Sales Tax Exemption Pilot Project

We the undersigned, urge our State Legislature to support a proposed Pilot Project to test the feasibility of abolishing the state sales tax. This Pilot Project would assign "5" Maine communities on the New Hampshire State Line to have its retail sales tax suspended for a "10" year period.

It is the contention of the undersigned that this project's outcome will result in increased business and jobs in the participating border communities and their neighboring towns. After the "10" year period is expired the legislature should prepare a report comparing the business climate in each town before and after the Pilot Project.

The State of Maine has been operating on an uneven playing field with New Hampshire for generations due to their "tax free shopping". This Pilot Project is designed to prove that given the incentive, our residents will cease traveling to New Hampshire for their shopping and out-of state consumers will choose to spend their money in our state.

We urge our Legislature to prove they are serious about leveling the playing field by acting on this petition during the next Legislative Session and before the 2006 elections.