JimBJim Bouchard is author and founder of Dynamic Components of Personal Power, and the founder of Northern Chi Martial Arts Centers. Jim combines his experience as a professional martial artist, entrepreneur and speaker to share his philosophy on power for personal and professional success.
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No State Income Tax for Military?
Nov 7, 2009 09:42 AM
Eliminate income tax for active military personnel? What would the ramifications be?
Matt Jacobson, Republican candidate for the Blaine House is announcing plans to eliminate state income tax for active military personal, and eliminate state tax on retirement pay for those who have already served.
With budgets already stretched to the breaking point, is this a smart move? To be blunt, don’t we need these revenues?
For a long time I’ve been an advocate of eliminating the state income tax altogether. We need revenue for sure; but that revenue comes from people. Revenue comes from people with good jobs and people who can do business profitably. That’s the source of the well.
For too long Maine has been dipping the well assuming that it would never go dry. With other states actively soliciting new citizens, particularly business folks, it’s time for Maine to do a little dowsing and make sure the aquifer will keep flowing.
First, it’s the right thing to do…period. Military pay is simply not in proportion with the sacrifice these men, women and their families make. This is the least we can do.
This move should help keep military folks here in Maine. The Brunswick area has long been one of the most attractive places for military retirees to settle. Let’s keep it that way and again to be blunt, right now we could use all the help we can get in that regard. With BNAS closing, it’s the right time. We’re losing this revenue on a state and local level anyway; let’s do what we can to keep retirees here and attract some of the BNAS personnel back to Maine when they retire.
I can’t see a downside. Military people have proven themselves as a vital and productive part of Maine for years. Let’s make it more attractive for some of them to stay; it makes good business sense at every level.
Jim Bouchard, Speaker, Excellence Coach and Author of Think Like a Black Belt writes this post as a citizen of Brunswick, Maine.
Matt Jacobson, Republican candidate for the Blaine House is announcing plans to eliminate state income tax for active military personal, and eliminate state tax on retirement pay for those who have already served.
With budgets already stretched to the breaking point, is this a smart move? To be blunt, don’t we need these revenues?
For a long time I’ve been an advocate of eliminating the state income tax altogether. We need revenue for sure; but that revenue comes from people. Revenue comes from people with good jobs and people who can do business profitably. That’s the source of the well.
For too long Maine has been dipping the well assuming that it would never go dry. With other states actively soliciting new citizens, particularly business folks, it’s time for Maine to do a little dowsing and make sure the aquifer will keep flowing.
First, it’s the right thing to do…period. Military pay is simply not in proportion with the sacrifice these men, women and their families make. This is the least we can do.
This move should help keep military folks here in Maine. The Brunswick area has long been one of the most attractive places for military retirees to settle. Let’s keep it that way and again to be blunt, right now we could use all the help we can get in that regard. With BNAS closing, it’s the right time. We’re losing this revenue on a state and local level anyway; let’s do what we can to keep retirees here and attract some of the BNAS personnel back to Maine when they retire.
I can’t see a downside. Military people have proven themselves as a vital and productive part of Maine for years. Let’s make it more attractive for some of them to stay; it makes good business sense at every level.
Jim Bouchard, Speaker, Excellence Coach and Author of Think Like a Black Belt writes this post as a citizen of Brunswick, Maine.
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