Augusta, MAINE -- In response to the forum on tax reform in Biddeford today attended by Ivanka Trump, U.S. Senator Susan Collins and U.S. Treasurer Jovita Carranza, Democratic Party Chair Phil Bartlett released the following statement:
"While we appreciate Ms. Trump visiting Maine to discuss this important issue, we will not let her pull the wool over the eyes of Maine people. The Republican tax plan overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest Americans and corporations – not Maine’s middle-class families as Republicans like to claim. Multiple independent analyses have confirmed this.
"And when it comes to supporting Maine’s working families with children, this plan falls woefully short. Even conservative Republican Senators Mike Lee and Marco Rubio have publicly panned it as not being good enough for working families.
"Finally, adding $1.5 trillion in debt absolutely will not help families. It’s wrong to give tax breaks to the wealthy on the backs of America's children, who will be stuck with that debt to pay back when they’re adults.
"Maine people deserve real tax relief, not the scraps of what’s left over after massive tax breaks are given to the wealthy and big corporations. And they shouldn’t be forced to have to choose between working or having a family.
"This tax proposal could do so much more for Maine if Republicans would actually work with Democrats to provide real tax relief to working people. If Ms. Trump takes anything back to Washington with her to influence her father, we hope it’s that."
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