Summary
"Spending on Tourism" is the title of this newspaper's lead editorial of Jan. 16. It advocates that Maine state government, i.e. Maine taxpayers should be spending more money to promote tourism. To support this assertion, spurious statistical comparisons are quoted: Illinois spends $49 million, Pennsylvania spends $64 million, but Maine spends only about $12.8 million: But do Maine taxpayers have the same level of "ability to pay" that citizens of those states enjoy? The editorial does not compare the per capita income of Maine taxpayers with those of other states. Should Maine and other states be engaged in a spending contest to promote tourism? The answer, my friends, is not blowing in the wind of statistics. The answer my friends, is no.
Maine's governor is looking around for $95 million to pay for a two-year budget deficit caused by a shortfall in tax revenues and unbudgeted expenditures. This old time Republican would like to help Mr. Baldacci close his last term in office in the black: eliminate the Office of Tourism and save at least $25.6 million, leaving the lodging tax in place. This action would have the statistical benefit of finding out whether or not state promotion of tourism makes any difference in the amount of it.See the full content of this document
Extract
Eliminate Tourism Office
If it is in the ec...
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