The Policy and Politics of Reforming Maine’s Tax System

On Friday, Jan. 16, at 12 noon in LPL’s Callahan Hall, The Great Falls Forum will feature economist and former Maine State Senator, Dick Woodbury, speaking on “The Policy and Politics of Reforming Maine’s Tax System.”  This free, public lecture is open to all.

Maine’s tax system has been described by critics at various times as imbalanced, burdensome, unfair, uncompetitive, complex, archaic, and volatile.  And while reforming the system has been a prominent topic of public policy discussions for the past decade, efforts at comprehensive reform have repeatedly failed.

Dick Woodbury has been at the heart of these reform discussions, having served for five terms as an Independent in the Maine State Legislature and during one of those terms, served as chair of the Taxation Committee. Over that period of time he has been involved in numerous bipartisan groups interested in reforming the system, including the proposal brought forward by the “gang of eleven” in 2013.

In his Forum presentation, Dick will share his reflections on both the policy and politics of tax reform along with his assessment of whether a comprehensive restructuring of the system may someday be possible.

Admission is free to all Forum events and no reservations are required. This program is a bring-your-own brown-bag lunch event.  Coffee, tea and bottled water will be available on site at the library.

The Great Falls Forum is co-sponsored by the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Bates College, Lewiston Public Library and the Sun Journal. The Lewiston Public Library is located downtown at 200 Lisbon Street at the corner of Pine Street. More information on Thursday’s lecture or other upcoming events in the Great Falls Forum series is available by contacting the Lewiston Public Library at 513-3135 or via email at LPLReference@gmail.com