I happily live in Maine. I live on the border so I have the option of shopping in New Hampshire as easily, and often more easily, than in Maine. All the state asks in return is a usage tax to make up for loss revenue. Not a bad trade off most times.
Take for instance the fact that Maine does not allow alcohol companies to require we purchase their product for a rebate. Which means if Coors or Bud or even Sutter Home offers a rebate good in Maine I can not buy the alcohol and still get my cash off food or giftcards or whatever. Although not a heavy drinker I do allow such rebates to influence my few purchases for gifts or to fertilize my lawn.
We also have some of the best seafood prices in the country which means my seafood winetags and rebates go further and buy fresher seafood than you might get in say South Dakota.
On the other side of the coin is the stuff I have to purchase in Maine that cost more. Such as drinks in a bottle or can. I have some nice bottled water coupons, but they will at best eat half the bottle deposit for the water purchased. Which means I will buy store brand instead of our preferred brand (after all Poland Spring is what it means to be from Maine, right?) to try and come out ahead. Although then I have to try to remember to return the bottles instead of just taking them to the transfer station. we still have a case of Smirnoff Ice from this summer we haven’t gotten around to returning yet.
I don’t mind the tax as much as the bottle deposits. I suppose if you are buying alot it adds up, but it never seems to do me in compared to the savings. I mean if I get $100 worth of stuff for $10 plus tax I can’t complain much.
In the end I am a proud citizen and enjoy the benefits of living here. Now if I could just get me some tourist repellent for the summers I’d be all set.
