from the AP, via Seacoast Online:

Several small business owners formally launched a referendum challenge aimed at repealing new taxes on sodas, beer and wine adopted with a goal of bolstering funding for Maine's Dirigo Health program.

The Fed Up With Taxes coalition says the tax increases were approved without any public hearing in the final days of the legislative session.

"It's time to say 'enough is enough' and that's what this referendum is all about," Newell Augur, the coalition's director, said Sunday in a statement....

The groups want to undo the proposal pushed by Democratic majorities with Gov. John Baldacci's backing to broaden beer and wine taxes. The package also imposes new wholesale taxes on soda and syrup.

The law also replaces Dirigo's savings offset formula with a 1.8 percent surcharge on health insurance claims....

Groups that have signed onto the effort so far include the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Maine Restaurant Association, Maine Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, Maine Innkeepers Association and Maine Oil Dealers Association.

To sign on to this effort, visit FedUpWithTaxes.org