Health Coverage for Maine

One month before the election, a lot of money is changing hands, moving from PAC to PAC.

PolitickerME.com will attempt to break down who’s giving, who’s receiving, and how it’s being spent.

Check back for more on the major campaign committees and those backing the two referendum drives.

See also: Fed up with Taxes raises $2.1 million, spends $1.7 million

See also: PAC reports: Fed up with Taxes

Health Coverage for Maine (click here for the full report)

Purpose: Fighting Question 1, the people’s veto of the recently passed beer, wine and soda taxes. The taxes support Dirigo, the state’s health insurance program.

The PAC report for the Health Care Coverage for Maine, also known as No on ONE is posted.

The campaign raised 42K this reporting period with the AMA the largest contributor by far, with their $40,000 donation.  That brings their total raised to $177,000.

The PAC heads in to the final weeks with $51,000 cash on hand.  The proponents, Fed Up With Taxes, have raised 2.1 million and have $439,000 Cash on hand.

Being outspent ten to one is never a good thing

After the Fed Up With Taxes coalition submitted 90,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office, likely putting a People's Veto for beer and wine taxes on the November ballot, House Minority Leader Josh Tardy is predicting a "bruising battle" leading up to Election Day.
The coalition is fighting the recently passed taxes on beer, wine, and soda to support Dirigo Health. The bill also adds a 1.8 percent surcharge on hospital bills and doctor's fees, according to a release from Tardy's office.
The taxes do not apply to Maine breweries and wineries.
The coalition turned in 90,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office this week - far more than the 55,087 needed for a People's Veto.

Just in case you were wondering how much it can cost to get 90 thousand signatures in a few months time, you need look no further than the PAC reports for Fed UP With Taxes. As of July 15th, the group has paid National Petition Management $410,000 dollars, which works out to about $4.50 cents a signature....so far.

A new coalition called Health Coverage for Maine launched their effort to oppose the people’s veto of the new taxes on beer, wine and soda.

The veto effort is orchestrated by Fed Up with Taxes, a coalition of business groups. They need to collect 55,000 signatures to repeal the law passed by the Legislature.

The Legislature approved the new taxes to fund Dirigo, the state’s health insurance program.

Members of the Portland League of Young Voters don’t care if the cost of booze goes up a few pennies.

League leaders sent out an e-mail Thursday urging their members not to sign the people’s veto petitions that will be circulated by the Fed Up with Taxes coalition.

The coalition is headed by Chamber of Commerce members and is supported by out of state beer and soda corporations. Members include the Maine Restaurant Association, the Maine Grocers Association and the Maine Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association.