AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Senate has backed Gov. Paul LePage's proposed constitutional amendment to abolish the income tax, but the measure doesn't have enough support to win final approval.
LePage wants to prohibit the state from collecting income tax in 2020. Because that requires a constitutional amendment, it needs the support of two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers plus voter approval.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 20-14 Tuesday to give initial approval to the governor's proposal. But the vote falls short of what it will need for final approval. The Democratic-controlled House rejected the proposal Monday.
LePage has said he will veto every bill sponsored by Democrats until they pass his constitutional amendment. He vetoed 10 on Monday because he said Democrats have "stifled the voice of Maine citizens.''