Maine Republicans Offer Alternative

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — He's not dismissing it out of hand, but Gov. Angus King is less than enthused by an alternative advanced by three Republican senators to the 5 cent gasoline tax increase he supports.

The senators say the state should fill a hole in Maine's highway fund by taking 45 percent of the money from car and truck sales tax revenues.

King, an independent, has said the highway fund is running short of cash needed to keep Maine's roads and bridges in proper condition and keep federal matching funds coming in. He wants to add a nickel to the state's 19-cent-per-gallon fuel tax.

But Sens. Vinton Cassidy, Philip Harriman and Peter Mills said less than half of the $86 million in sales taxes to be collected in 1999 on car and truck sales would cover the highway fund's needs of about $37 million.

King said he was pleased the Republicans acknowledge the funding problem and that they are proposing solutions.

"It's creative and connected with highway use," said King. "I want to think about it."

Cassidy said he has received hundreds of calls and letters from constituents opposing the increase.

"I have heard from precious few people who favor this tax increase," added Cassidy, a Transportation Committee member.