Maine governor's $5.7 billion budget raises tax, fee concerns among businesses.

Publication: Bangor Daily News (Bangor, ME)

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COPYRIGHT 2005 Bangor Daily News

Byline: Mal Leary

Jan. 14--AUGUSTA -- Maine's business community is concerned with many provisions that were and were not included in Gov. John Baldacci's proposed $5.7 billion two-year budget plan.

"We are pleased with some of the items in the budget, like investments in economic development," said Chris Hall, vice president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "But, yes, we have concerns with some items in the budget and some things not in the budget."

A major concern, according to Hall and other leaders of business groups, is Maine's failure to conform many state tax codes with federal tax changes. In the last few years, Congress has passed several tax cuts affecting the business community, but Maine has rejected most to prevent losing the revenue.

"Maine businesses...

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