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I’m not a believer in coincidences. So when the Maine Legislature passed the Property Tax Stabilization Act for Senior Citizens, I assumed it was done to help senior citizens stay in their homes as they age. Now I do agree the act was ill-conceived and clearly rushed through the legislative process, but it was done with good intentions. Boy was I wrong.
After one year of the program, the lawmakers decided to terminate it and expand two existing programs with the intention of helping lower income seniors. Sorry middle class.
Now I don’t claim to be a rocket scientist and the people who know me would confirm that claim. But I’m smart enough to know a con. And I believe I’ve been conned along with thousands of other senior citizens. I think it’s very clear that it was not a coincidence that the tax stabilization act was passed in an election year and terminated in a non-election year.
If there is a lesson to be learned it is this: Beware of politicians bearing gifts, especially in an election year.
Chris Wilson
Gray
