The association said the proposal was dropped following a concerted lobbying effort that included testimony in the Maine legislature and discussions with the Governor's office. As an alternative to a tax on paint, the state's Department of Environmental Protection has been assigned to conduct a study to identify ongoing sources of funding for municipal collection of hazardous waste.

More details on the proposed tax and the successful campaign to defeat the measure are reported on the NPCA website at www.paint.org/ind_issue/current/august/issue02.htm.