Auto Excise Tax

Encourages a statewide conversation on the
fairness of Maine’s excise tax

Reduces auto excise taxes by nearly 50 percent

Saves Maine taxpayers $80 million each year

Eliminates the sales tax on new hybrid and
energy efficient vehicles

Promotes cleaner air and greater fuel efficiency

Eliminates the first three years of auto
excise tax
on new hybrid and energy
efficient vehicles

 

Who is opposed to Question 2? Just follow the Money

Read the informational card for Question 2 here.

A Brief Guide to Question 2: Cut the excise tax

Savings after Question 2: See the savings on over 20 cars

 

 


Click here to view the latest updates on TABOR

Here are the latest updates on the Auto Excise Tax Cut:

Spreading New York's Bad Medicine
By: Stephen T. Parente & Tarren Bragdon
December 10, 2009

This article, co-authored by MHPC's CEO, emphasizes that taking failed state-level health regulations coast-to-coast is a very bad idea!

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BallotPedia Interview with Tarren Bragdon
By: BallotPedia.Org
October 22, 2009

This national news organization was in Maine to cover the fall issues, and spoke at length with Tarren Bragdon, CEO, The Maine Heritage Policy Center

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AUDIO CLIP: Excise Tax Debate on WGAN (Part Two)
By: WGAN Radio
October 16, 2009

Question 2 Debate: Auto Excise Tax Reduction, Tarren Bragdon and Jeff Hermon on WGAN Radio

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AUDIO CLIP: Excise Tax Debate on WGAN (Part One)
By: WGAN Radio
October 16, 2009

Question 2 Debate: Auto Excise Tax Reduction, Tarren Bragdon and Jeff Hermon on WGAN Radio

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Who's Afraid of Questions 2 and 4? Follow the Money to See Who Benefits...
September 30, 2009
Who’s Afraid of Questions 2 and 4? Follow...
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How Much Will Maine Car Buyers Save?
September 18, 2009
The Excise Tax cuts in Question #2 are an effort to raise the standard of living in Maine by making newer, safer, fuel-efficient cars affordable. We...
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A Brief Guide to Question 2 (Excise Tax Cut) on the November 2009 Ballot
September 11, 2009
This two-page guide on Question Two provides many details about the benefits to Maine's long-term sustainable economy when this tax is cut.This...
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Time for TABOR
By: Steve Bowen
September 10, 2009

Steve Bowen of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, has a VILLAGE SOUP column explaing the need for a Taxpayer Bill of Rights in Maine.

TABOR was a good idea in 2006... and Maine needs it even more today!

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Question 2 (Vehicle Excise Tax Cut) Info Card
September 4, 2009
The average vehicle in Maine is more than ten years old - and a huge part of this is our 7th-highest Excise tax, due at registration (and every year...
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VIDEO: Auto Excise Tax Cut Debate
By: Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce
August 20, 2009

This is a debate between Martin Sheehan, director of communications with The Maine Heritage Policy Center, and Dana Lee, town manager of Poland, Maine.

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BANGOR: Luncheon Presentation and Discussion on Reducing Maine's High Auto Excise Taxes
Location: Sea Dog Brewing Company, Bangor
Date: April 9, 2009, 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Some say trimming Maine's high Auto Excise Taxes mean an automatic increase to the Property Taxes... but this knee-jerk reflex doesn't make any sense!

Maine's towns have received hundreds of millions from Augusta, with the "understanding" that local taxes would be reduced. Did this happen?

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Reducing the Excise Tax: Good for Maine Families, Businesses and the Environment
April 9, 2009
This is Unique Opportunity for voters to reduce a Big Tax on Maine People that generates Small Revenues for Maine Towns.
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Excise Tax Cut Appears Headed to Referendum
By: Susan Cover
April 8, 2009

The Legislature, as expected, wants to Maine Voters to decide the this Excise tax-cutting proposal, which was authored by The Maine Heritage Policy Center.

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Lower Excise Taxes Change The Deal on New Cars
April 7, 2009
Lowering Maine's high Auto Excise Taxes reduces the highest check most car buyers have to write when buying a car... the Excise Tax payment! This...
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Maine Property Taxpayers Should Have Paid $188 Million Less (10%) in Property Taxes in 2008
March 26, 2009
In 2004, Maine voters approved a measure that increased state Education funding; and was supposed to result in a 15% Property Tax Cut (remember...
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Lower Auto Excise Taxes Add Incentives for Hybrid Vehicles
March 26, 2009
Eliminating the Sales Taxes and first three years of Excise Taxes on hybrid and high-mileage vehicles adds new incentives for Maine people to get the...
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Maine's Automobile Excise Tax Hurts the Poor and Elderly
March 26, 2009
Maine's High Auto Excise Tax has a greater negative impact on lower income and older Maine residents; lowering this burden will make newer, safer,...
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Tax Cuts Stimulate Auto Sales
March 26, 2009
In the very basics of Supply and Demand economics - lowering prices increases demand, right?

This document briefly shows several recent examples...
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Bragdon Testimony in Support of LD 974 March 26, 2009
March 26, 2009
Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, testified in support of LD 974, An Act To Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote...
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Keeping The Promise of Real Property Tax Relief for Maine Families
March 26, 2009
This presention accompanied Tarren Bragdon's testimony before the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation on March 26, 2009.
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An Act To Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote Energy Efficiency
November 1, 2008
This proposed legislation will cut Maine's high new vehicle excise taxes for all new vehicles, and eliminate sales taxes and excise taxes for the...
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Bottled up
By: MaineBiz
July 14, 2008

With petitions in hand, business leaders and industry groups rail against the Legislature’s tax hike on soda, beer and wine

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