| A group of lawmakers called the "Gang of Eleven" has proposed a thorough overhaul of state taxes. It would raise the sales tax a penny, extend it to a wider range of goods and services, cut the income tax in half and raise the homestead tax exemption from $10,000 to $50,000. Some legislators in Augusta say it may be too late this legislative session to deal with such sweeping tax reform. Then there are those, like retired accountant Albert DiMillo, who have considered it and rejected it. DiMillo wrote a detailed critique of the plan published May 12 in the Maine Sunday Telegram. Here, responding to DiMillo's criticisms, is Yarmouth independent state Sen. Richard Woodbury. Woodbury, along with five Republicans and five Democrats, drafted the plan. He was interviewed by MPBN Morning Edition host Irwin Gratz. |