On Nov. 4, Election Day, you will find three additional questions on the ballot for your consideration. They are:

Question 1: Do you want to reject the parts of a new law that change the method of funding Maine's Dirigo Health Program through charging health insurance companies a fixed fee on paid claims and adding taxes to malt liquor, wine and soft drinks?

Question 2: Do you want to allow a certain Maine company to have the only casino in Maine, to be located in Oxford County, if part of the revenue is used to fund specific state programs?

Question 3: Do you favor a $3,400,000 bond issue to support drinking water programs, to support the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and to leverage $17,000,000 in other funds?

Below I have tried to provide you a little background on each one.

Question 1

Do you want to reject the parts of a new law that change the method of funding Maine's Dirigo Health Program through charging health insurance companies a fixed fee on paid claims and adding taxes to malt liquor, wine and soft drinks?

Question 1 is better known as the people's veto. It is the result of the legislature passing a tax on beer, wine and soda along with a tax on health insurance benefits paid to help fund the Dirigo Heath Insurance program. This tax was passed late in the session with little public input. The money gained from the tax will replace the controversial saving offset program established by the legislature to fund Dirigo health.

There are two fundamental arguments being brought forth by the proponents and opponents of the tax. The proponents argue the law did not go through the right public process before being voted in the legislature. The opponents argue that the beverage tax was discussed, but perhaps not formally. The opponents of repeal argue that the rescinding of the tax will result in the collapse of Dirigo health.

The answer to the first general question is correct. The tax was voted on by the legislature and passed along party lines in the senate. Little public discussion was held. However, the original bill did have an increase in cigarette tax proposed which would have funded the Dirigo program. That tax was fully vetted in the legislature.

The second premise that Dirigo will no longer be available is not true. The program will remain and be funded by the SOP. However, the program will not be able to grow and add new members.

A "Yes" vote will rescind the taxes. A "No" vote will allow the Dirigo funding plan to go forward.

Question 2

Do you want to allow a certain Maine company to have the only casino in Maine, to be located in Oxford County, if part of the revenue is used to fund specific state programs?

There is one fundamental question that needs to be asked in this referendum. First do you support casinos in Maine? If the answer is yes than a "Yes" vote will support this premise. A "No" vote will stop the plan in its tracks.

Proponents of the referendum suggest there will be over 900 jobs created primarily in Oxford County. These jobs will pay an average of $35,000 per year with benefits. If passed by the citizens the state will receive an additional $69 million into the general fund without raising taxes. Proponents claim in the last three years Maine citizens made 271,000 trips to out of state casinos.

Opponents contend that the people of Maine do not want casinos in Maine. They say this facility preys on the poor and elderly. Crime rates will increase in surrounding towns. Addiction to gambling will increase. Opponents point out that passing this referendum as written will actually lower the gambling age to 19. They conclude casinos are not the way life should be in the State of Maine.

Information supporting the referendum can be found at http://voteyeson2formaine.com/.

Information against the proposal can be found at http://www.casinosno.org.

A "Yes" will allow the casino plan to go forward. A "No" vote will stop it.

Question 3

Do you favor a $3,400,000 bond issue to support drinking water programs, to support the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and to leverage $17,000,000 in other funds?

This bond will provide money to the Department of Health and Human Services for a drinking water revolving fund. This money can be borrowed by municipalities to help provide safe drinking water for its citizens. Funds could be used to design, construct or improve water supplies or treat drinking water supplies.

The bond will also provide funds to the Department of Environmental protection for a clean water treatment facility state revolving fund. This money can be borrowed by waste treatment facilities to improve and upgrade their waste water treatment capabilities.

The issuance of these bonds will allow the State to match the money five fold with federal dollars. In another words the state will borrow $3.5 million dollars and will be able to obtain an additional $.85 million to assist in completing the drinking water and waste water treatment actions.

A "Yes" vote will allow the state to borrow the money and receive the matching funds. A "No" vote will prevent the borrowing from going forward.

On Nov. 4 you will have to decide the answer to these ballot questions. More details on each ballot question can be found at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming.html.

If you have questions about this or anything else please give me a call at 645-3420 or email me at drtom16@hotmail. com.

Tom Saviello of Wilton represents House District 90: the towns of Avon, New Vineyard, Phillips, Strong, Temple and Wilton, plus the unorganized territories of East Central Franklin and Perkins and Washington townships.