AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine legislative committee has voted against a bill to tax water bottler Poland Spring.
The Portland Press Herald reports the House and Senate will now consider the legislation.
The Legislature’s Taxation Committee voted Tuesday to reject a Democrat’s bill that would have charged Poland Spring 12 cents for every gallon of water extracted for bottling.
The legislation is part of years-old unsuccessful efforts to tax the hundreds of millions of gallons that Poland Spring bottles in Maine.
The bill targets Poland Spring, which would have paid roughly $115 million under the proposal based on the 960 million gallons extracted last year. Revenues from the tax would fund college tuition grants and Maine’s broadband internet network.
Opponents include several Democrats and Republicans who say Poland Spring employs over 800 people in Maine.