Small Business Owner Highlighted

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Fed Up With Taxes/YES on 1 coalition aired its first television ad last night during the Democratic National Convention. The 30 second ad features Gary Emmons, a small businessman and owner of Exit 43 Quik Stop in Richmond.

“I know first-hand what the impact of these new taxes will be on Maine’s small businesses and working families,” said Emmons, “With the rising costs of gasoline, heating oil and groceries, this is absolutely the worst time to be increasing taxes on beverages we all enjoy such as flavored water, juice drinks, beer, wine and soda.”

Fed Up With Taxes/Yes on 1 is a bipartisan coalition of Maine people, businesses and organizations that submitted more than 95,000 names to the Maine Secretary of State earlier this summer in order to force a statewide vote on repeal of $75 million of new taxes on everyday beverages and health care claims.

The new taxes increase the price of beer, wine, flavored water, teas, sports drinks, juice drinks, soda, and many other popular beverages. The same legislation also created a new 1.8% tax on paid health insurance claims.

The ad is airing on television stations throughout the state and also can be viewed at www.fedupwithtaxes.org.