AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Gov. Paul LePage says the one thing he'd like to get done this legislative session is to go after the income tax.
In the two-year $6.3 billion budget LePage has submitted to the Legislature, he has proposed that income taxes for top-rate payers go from 7.95 percent to 5.75 percent by 2019, and the top corporate rate from 8.93 to 6.75 percent by 2021. Making up the difference in state revenue would be increases in sales and use taxes.
LePage said on MPBN's Maine Calling program Wednesday that, while it will have to be done in stages, he wants to see state income taxes eliminated.
"What's the one tax you have absolutely nothing to say about is income tax," he said. "You don't even see it. You get your paycheck at the end of the week, the money's already gone. Sales tax, you have to make a decision. Property tax, you have to make a decision."
LePage says income taxes are antiquated and that eliminating the income tax will help Maine compete on a national level.
