Maine State Senator Dana Dow (R-Lincoln) has been named chair of the Maine Legislature’s Taxation Committee by Maine Senate President Michael Thibodeau (R-Waldo).

In addition to Maine’s tax structure, the Taxation Committee is responsible for overseeing the Maine Residents Property Tax Program, property valuation and assessment, municipal revenue sharing and other tax issues.

“We have a lot of hard work ahead of us in the Taxation Committee,” Senator Dow said. “The state of Maine had been heading in the right direction in lowering the tax burden on our citizens, but the passage of Question 2, which will create the second highest tax bracket in the nation, presents a huge obstacle to attracting people and businesses to our state.

“It is up to all of us in Augusta, Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike, to craft commonsense tax policies that allow our state government to act efficiently without hurting our struggling families and small businesses.”

Senate President Michael Thibodeau said, “Senator Dana Dow is uniquely qualified to lead the Taxation Committee because he has real life experience in the private sector as a business person, and in the public sector as a teacher. He understands the need to get our priorities straight in Augusta and enact sensible tax policy.”

Senator Dow will also be a member of the Legislature’s Insurance and Financial Services Committee.

Senator Dana Dow previously served in the Maine Senate during the 122nd and 123rd Legislatures. He also was a member of the House of Representatives during the 125th Legislature. He represents Maine Senate District 13 which includes communities in Lincoln, Knox and Kennebec counties.