Letters: Maine wants a paid family and medical go away program; Property revaluations present we’re not all in it collectively

Maine needs a paid family and sick leave program

If someone had told me that I was in this situation at 72, I would not have thought it possible. But here I sit and think about an uncertain future, anxious and depressed. I got a terrible case of COVID-19 in mid-November 2020. I knew that given the underlying conditions, my chances of survival were slim at best. I was sick like never before and thought I couldn’t survive. But here I am, hallelujah! However, I am plagued by long-term, lingering symptoms of COVID.

These symptoms are not the only long-term effects of my illness. When I got COVID-19, I also lost my job for more than eight years because the company I worked for didn’t have any earned sick leave or family and sick leave when I got sick. After I left I found that I was not eligible for unemployment benefit and I soon ran out of funds to pay my bills. I fell behind. I am worried that I will lose my apartment soon.

I wholeheartedly support paid family and sick leave. Had that been available to me, I would be sure that I would not be in such an emergency now. Maine lawmakers have an opportunity to explore the best ways to implement such a system here by passing LD 1559. My message to you is: Please match your conscience and your heart and take care of the good people of Maine!

Thom Mauck,
Topsham

Real estate valuations show that we are not all together

All civilians (private sector, non-governmental organizations) have been badly hit by COVID-19. Salaries have been cut. Expected bonuses disappeared. Contracts terminated! And yes, many are unemployed. Some try to comfort us by saying, “We’re all in it together.” But are we?

The escape from populous areas to rural areas (where COVID-19 isn’t spreading as quickly) has brought crazy things to home sales. Appraisers explain that some of the selling prices have nothing to do with actual value. Maine’s constitution never thought about such a moment. Some local townships, under Maine law and constitution, claim that they must value property values ​​up 30%. While South Portland is a great example of this, others have the same problem as well. (Isn’t it funny how civil servants are always “helpless” in increasing taxable values?)

If your tax burden stayed the same due to a lower mil rate, citywide revaluations would not be of interest. However, we are told that for other reasons, more than half of people will see their tax burdens rise, and the “lucky ones” may see only minor increases. Funny again how it works.

You could assume that your local government will also use this time to cut its budget and increase efficiency, since we are “all together”. Just like any private sector company. If they made reasonable budget cuts and achieved operational efficiencies, the result would be a lower mil rate. Ideally, your tax burden would be about the same or even lower, as we are “all together” even though your property has been valued at a higher value.

When was the last time your city government submitted a budget that was below that of the previous year? If they do that this year then we are “all together”. If not, then you are suffering from pandemic pain as those in your city government continue to spend – or worse, more. (Funny how everything is an excuse for governments to spend more!)

Could you tell me again how we are “all together”?

Paul J. Fielding,
Southern portland

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