TABOR Now campaign files complaint against South Portland

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The TABOR Now campaign, a group advocating voting “yes” on Question 4 in Maine’s November ballot, recently filed a complaint with the state Ethics Commission against the city of South Portland, claiming it needs to register as a ballot question committee.

South Portland recently sent its taxpayers a packet announcing the city council’s recent decision to oppose both Question 4 and Question 2 — concerning the automobile excise tax — and asking voters to learn more at the city’s Web site. TABOR Now, in its e-mailed complaint from Chairman David Crocker to commission Executive Director Jonathan Wayne, said it is unlikely South Portland’s mailing cost less than $5,000. After exceeding $5,000 in election spending, any group in Maine must register as a ballot question committee and report to the Ethics Commission.

“The question that David Crocker [sent] is whether the city of South Portland should’ve registered with us as a ballot question committee and reported that expenditure,” said Paul Lavin, assistant director of the commission.

James Gailey, city manager of South Portland, said the mailing cost $564. He said Crocker’s complaint is unfounded.

“It didn’t seem like a whole lot was going on … there was a lot of disconnect. There was a lot of belief by residents that the way the questions were worded were very attractive to the voter. As a response to all that we included into the tax bill mailing … quite simply just a one-page sheet that announced both the questions,” Gailey said. “We added two bullets under each which were completely straight up facts, and then on the bottom we said please learn more about these initiatives, and then we gave the city’s web page.”

Gailey said the cost was six cents per sheet. He said the city will respond to the complaint this week and that state attorneys are drafting a response. He said he has not seen the response and does not know the exact day the city will release it.

Gailey said the city’s Web site indicated in the mailed packet includes the two ballot questions and both the proponent and opponent messages.

“[Crocker] is not even making the allegation that it was the improper use of funds,” Lavin said.

Phone calls to Crocker were not returned.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009, 2:16 pm. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.