The ConnectME Authority. It even sounds like something that is going to take your money away and give it to someone else that state leaders think is more deserving. And, if some legislators have their way, that is what this organization would do.

ConnectME will work with communication companies to bring high-speed Internet access to parts of the state that do not have service because there are too few people. It is part of a bill is being promoted as an economic development proposal, as if high speed Internet will be an answer for the declining job opportunities in these remote areas.

The legislation would provide tax cuts for companies that help bring high-speed Internet access to rural areas. To help accomplish this, yet another government organization will be formed to oversee the project.

Naturally, this will require money and the proposal now calls for a new $1.5 million fee on phone and Internet providers. Unless the companies decide to pay for the new fee themselves – which is unlikely – it will be passed onto phone and high-speed Internet users.

While the amount of money would be less than $3 a year, it is yet another example of someone taking my money for yet another service that will not benefit me, my neighbors or even those three towns away in any form.

High-speed Internet companies and cable companies have avoided these rural areas because it did not make sense to build the necessary infrastructure for so few people. It was a money-losing proposition.

But now with some benefits to accomplish the task, they are in favor of going into these areas. After all, they get more customers paying monthly bills while putting up only a portion of the initial investment these companies would have been forced to pay to begin with.

I don’t like the idea of paying more for my already outrageously priced Internet and phone bill so some family living in Meddybemps can download NASCAR highlights faster with broadband than dial-up.

Living in the less populated areas of Maine has its advantages. The property tax bills are much less in Millinocket than in South Portland. There also is less traffic and noise.

But there are disadvantages as well. Most rural towns do not offer municipal sewer or water, full-time fire service, or even streetlights. Many of these less populated towns don’t even have full time police. And yes, high speed Internet is one of those things you have to live without when living in the woods.

There’s nothing wrong with that. But if you don’t like it, you can move. I don’t see why I have to pay extra money so people can get broadband in an area that the companies providing the service did not feel it was worth their investment in the first place.

Maine is an expensive place to live. Earlier this month, there was a survey released that found Maine’s state and local tax burden is the highest in the country. The Tax Foundation found that Maine’s taxes amount to 13.5 percent of residents’ incomes, about 3 percent higher than the national average.

As if the local and state taxes are not bad enough, Mainers are getting nickled and dimed all along the way and this proposal is just the latest example.

If people living in rural Maine want to have high speed Internet so badly, let them pay a special assessment to pay for the necessary infrastructure improvements themselves. I don’t see why I have to pay for something that has no impact – directly or indirectly – on me. I already pay enough.

Ken Tatro is a South Portland resident and a contributor to the Current