Dear Piper Shores Resident,

I wanted to write you to today and tell you about an important piece of legislation that is being considered by the State Legislature.  The bill is LD 1335, and I strongly support its passage.  In fact, on Tuesday April 14, 2009, I appeared before the Joint Standing Committee on Taxation to offer my support for the bill.

I can assure you, that the tax that has recently been imposed on meals at Piper Shores was not the intent of legislation past or present.  It was the Maine Revenue Services who only recently began imposing and collecting this tax.  They did so based on their own interpretation of existing law, not based on a new law, which they do occasionally.

As a result, LD 1335 has been proposed and, if passed, will exempt taxes on meals at facilities like Piper Shores.

I am putting together an informational forum at Piper Shores so that I can address this issue and answer any further questions.  I would love to see you at the forum.  Although we have not settled on an exact date, I will be sure that I get the word out.

There is another piece of legislation that may affect this issue.  LD 1088, which is the comprehensive tax reform package, does include an increase in the meals and lodging tax.  If LD 1335 does not pass, LD 1088 will be amended so that it will exempt facilities such as Piper Shores from a meals tax.

If you were able to make it to Augusta on Tuesday, I thank you for standing up and speaking out.  I hope you will continue to communicate with me other issues and concerns that you have.

You can contact me at anytime through my website, www.SeanFlaherty.org; e-mail, RepSean.Flaherty@legislature.maine.gov; phone, 450-4188; or US Mail, PO Box 6998 Scarborough, ME 04070.

I look forward to seeing you soon and thank you for the opportunity to work for you in Augusta.  I am honored and privileged to be your State Representative.

Yours truly,

Sean

Rep. Sean Flaherty
Maine House District 127 - Scarborough

PO Box #6998
Scarborough, ME 04070
207.450.4188 (c)
RepSean.Flaherty@legislature.maine.gov