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Tax Law

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Mean everything to nothing

My favorite movie-advertising phrase is "based on a true story." Translated into English, it means: "more or less, a big fat lie."
True tax stories
By AL DIAMON  |  January 15, 2010

Death and taxes

Here's the simple truth about Maine's automobile excise tax: If you don't support the initiative on the November ballot to cut it sharply, we're all going to die.
We’re all going to die
By AL DIAMON  |  September 25, 2009

Law review

We know — tax-law changes are boring and probably don't affect you. Until they get confusing and apply directly to how you eke out a living here in Maine.
Musicians hit by new tax
By JEFF INGLIS + PORTLAND MUSIC FOUNDATION  |  August 21, 2009

Happy together

There's an easy way to make everyone happy.
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  July 31, 2009

My aim is true

I believe in having clear and achievable goals.
Talking Politics
By AL DIAMON  |  June 26, 2009

Here it comes again

Is it possible to tax stupidity? If so, Maine could generate enough revenue to eliminate the income tax, property tax, excise tax, inheritance tax, and sales tax.
Gov. Baldacci's stupid approach to tax reform.
By AL DIAMON  |  March 04, 2009
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The wrong man for hard times

Most Democrats see Barack Obama’s inauguration as a clear-cut, welcome turn to the left.
State House Democrats need to stand up to the governor
By LANCE TAPLEY  |  February 04, 2009

I've heard that story before

Each year, Governor John Baldacci announces his top priority in the next legislative session will be reducing the state income tax. (“Lack of political clout? What lack of political clout?”)
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  August 20, 2008

Jump to it

Tax reform is the Evel Knievel of political issues. It gives us the most pleasure when it crashes and burns.
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  March 19, 2008
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Tax break heaven

As the economy sours, state taxes are bringing in less than expected.
The rich get richer, the middle class picks up the tab, and the state goes broke. Here’s why.
By LANCE TAPLEY  |  February 20, 2008

Committee of onions and failure

To help me decide on a topic for this week’s column, I assembled a blue-ribbon commission.
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  January 02, 2008
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Everyone’s a neocon now

In the eight years I’ve covered the State House for the Portland Phoenix, I’ve been struck by the depressingly constant themes.
Looking back on state politics — and forward
By LANCE TAPLEY  |  December 21, 2007
Norquistlist

Conservative group lands Norquist for fundraiser

Grover Norquist is probably best known for saying, “My goal is to cut government in half in 25 years, to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub.”
Talking politics
By IAN DONNIS  |  November 19, 2007
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Guinea pigs

The stakes are clear: if the system works well in Massachusetts, odds are that the nation will follow. If it fails here, this approach dies.
The future of the nation’s health-care reform rests on the tattooed shoulders of Massachusetts’s young adults
By DAVID S. BERNSTEIN  |  October 31, 2007

Them vs. you vs. me

Many people believe the Maine Legislature is ineffective because it’s run by a bunch of idiots.
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  July 11, 2007

Hidden agenda

The Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram are wonderful newspapers.
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  June 27, 2007

How we operate

The Maine Legislature runs like a finely tuned automobile.
Politics and other mistakes
By AL DIAMON  |  January 10, 2007

Voter’s Guide

The Portland Phoenix staff packaged up our hopes for a vibrant Maine and stuffed them in this Voter’s Guide.
Endorsements for races for the Portland city council, the state House of Representatives, the State Senate, the US House of Representatives, the US Senate, and, of course, the governor.
By PORTLAND PHOENIX STAFF  |  November 01, 2006
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Does Rhode Island need tax cuts for the rich?

A lot more than just the minutiae of $6.6 billion in state spending will be on the line when the General Assembly soon presents its response to Governor Donald L. Carcieri’s latest budget.
The budget resolution will be something of a bellwether for the state  
By IAN DONNIS  |  June 14, 2006

Letters to the Portland Editor, March 10, 2006

Now it seems that what we never thought would happen, has occurred: South Dakota has passed a law outlawing virtually all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest.
Readers fire back on South Dakota's abortion-rights bill, the recent Band Guide issue, and the breakup of the Maine Citizen Leadership Fund
By LETTERS TO THE PORTLAND EDITOR  |  March 08, 2006
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Sticking it to political reformers

State House Dems don't get mad, they get even.
Power play gives State House Democrats control of 'nonpartisan' activist group
By LANCE TAPLEY  |  January 12, 2006

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