‘An Act To Provide an Advisory Referendum on Tax Relief for Maine's Citizens’

‘Sec. 1. Special advisory referendum on tax relief. The Secretary of State shall, at a statewide election in the month of November following the passage of this Act, hold a special advisory referendum to determine the sentiment of the people on changing Maine's individual income tax to a 4% flat rate, with a standard deduction that phases out at higher incomes, while making up for 4/5 of lost revenues through consumption tax increases to be determined by a blue ribbon commission.

Sec. 2. Advisory referendum procedure; submission at statewide election. This advisory referendum must be submitted to the legal voters of the State at a statewide election held in the month of November following passage of this Act. The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to give their opinion by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor changing Maine's individual income tax to a 4% flat rate, with a standard deduction that phases out at higher incomes, while making up for 4/5 of lost revenues through consumption tax increases to be determined by a blue ribbon commission?"

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within a corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns and shall proclaim, without delay, the total number of ballots in favor of and opposed to changing Maine's individual income tax to a 4% flat rate, with a standard deduction that phases out at higher incomes, making up for 4/5 of lost revenues through consumption tax increases to be determined by a blue ribbon commission.

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Act necessary to carry out the purpose of this advisory referendum.’