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Yes votes prevailed in each of the five questions in the June referendum, leading to a people’s veto of a June 2009 tax reform law and the passage of four bond issues.
Question 1, the people’s veto of the Maine Legislature’s law, passed resoundingly, carrying over 61 percent of the electorate, with 79 percent of precincts reporting.
The law proposed a reduction in Maine’s income tax involving a move from a graduated system based on income to a 6.5 percent flat rate for all citizens. To make up for lost revenue, Maine’s 5 percent sales tax would have been expanded to over 100 new items — mostly in the services industry.
Question 2, the first of four bond issues on the ballot, was passed with 59 percent of the vote. It is worth $26.5 million — part of which will allow the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center to employ 300 construction workers and create 100 full-time jobs in the realm of offshore wind power. $15.5 million of the bond will go toward energy improvements at Maine university and community college campuses.
Question 3, financially the largest bond issue, was passed with 58 percent of the vote. It is the largest bond — worth over $48 million, and will mostly go toward state highway and rail improvements.
Question 4, a $23.75 million bond issue having much to do with improvements at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, was narrowly passed, carrying just 51 percent of the vote.
Question 5, which is hoped to leverage federal funds for improved quality of drinking water in rural Maine communities, passed with 55 percent of the vote.
