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New_Sun6390 t1_itgl8z3 wrote

Reply to comment by imnotyourbrahh in Republicans lying again... go figure by captd3adpool

That was LePage. It happened in 2013 while he was governor.

IIRC, LePage was quite vocal with his view that meals, lodging, and car rental taxes were fair game because they are paid primarily by visitors from out of state. Problem is, that is not really true. But when did LePage ever care about the truth?

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imnotyourbrahh t1_itgn1ir wrote

True, I am here 365 days and pay that food tax at least once a week.

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New_Sun6390 t1_ith48zq wrote

Happy cake day!!

Yeah, he failed to take into account that many visitors to Maine dining and lodging establishments are from.....Maine!! I am sure there is data that backs that up.

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hike_me t1_itljte1 wrote

State income tax is 100% paid for by residents. Food and lodging tax is at least partially paid by tourists.

If the state needed to raise additional money to pay for some program, it would likely be better to raise that money through an increase in lodging tax vs income or sales tax, because it would shift at least some of the burden off residents and onto tourists. Lots of tourist destinations try to shift taxes onto visitors when possible. Obviously some Mainers pay lodging tax as well, but any amount shifted to taxes non-residents pay reduces the overall tax burden of residents.

I never get over how much lower Maines lodging tax is compared to other places I travel.

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