Maine Releases Wording For Home Care Ballot Initiative

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Secretary of State's Office has released the language of a new ballot initiative that would raise taxes for wealthy Maine residents to pay for universal home care for the elderly and disabled.
 
Democratic Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap said Monday that the final wording of the initiative was written based on feedback from the public - who had until June 15 to offer comments. The Portland Press Herald reports the initiative was originally proposed by the Maine People's Alliance.
 
An opposition group announced Monday that it will launch a campaign urging Maine voters to vote against the 3.8 percent income surtax, which will appear as Question 1 on the statewide ballot Nov. 6.
 
Supporters say the referendum would only apply to the wealthiest 1.6 percent of Mainers.