People’s Veto Threatens New Funds for DirigoChoice
The state Constitution lets Maine people veto a bill passed by the Legislature. It is known as a referendum process.
Two organizations hope to use this process to stop these modest tax increases from taking effect.
See story on DirigoChoice bill; funding through beer, wine and soda taxes They are a group of Bangor
Young Republicans and a group of businesses that include distributors and sellers of beer, wine and syrup used in soda.
To do this they must collect 55,000 signatures before July 17th. If the signatures are collected and certified by the State,
then the question will be on the November 4, 2008 ballot. It will ask voters whether they want to repeal the taxes to fund
Dirigo.
Know the whole story before you sign.
If the taxes are repealed:
- The new money for Dirigo will not be available to protect health care for 18,000 Maine children and hard-working adults,
while making coverage affordable for an additional 40,000 who are not able to get insurance through their employers.
- DirigoChoice will not be able to accept new individual or business members.
- Those currently enrolled may lose their health care coverage if the program closes.
This bill does NOT raise taxes on milk, water, coffee or hard cider.
If these signatures are not collected, then Dirigo will continue to offer health insurance to thousands of people
in Maine who would otherwise be uninsured.
Want to Help Save Dirigo funding? See MEJP News
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