CONWAY — Democratic candidates at Tuesday’s Five-Minute Forum at the Gibson Center for Senior Services in North Conway repeatedly accused Republican-controlled state and county governments of failing to listen to local communities, saying practical concerns are too often overshadowed by party politics and ideology.
The forum, a traditional pre-primary event at the Gibson Center, gave candidates five minutes each to explain their platforms. None of the Democratic candidates appearing Tuesday faces a primary challenger, and all will advance to the Nov. 3 general election.
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(1) comment
Rep. Burroughs wants taxpayers to look to Concord for an explanation of rising property taxes. That is politically convenient, but incomplete.
Conway’s tax burden is also the product of decisions made in Conway. Local government spending matters. School spending matters. Warrant articles matter. And none of those decisions become less important simply because there is a Republican majority in Concord.
If you are going to campaign on property taxes, then talk about the entire tax bill, not just the part that is easiest to blame on the other party.
Before pointing north to Concord, show taxpayers where you have pushed just as hard for restraint here at home. Tax awareness begins at home.
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