During my medical career, I was a firsthand witness to the importance of programs serving Maine people in need. As a physician, I saw the difficulties of patients lacking private insurance. As the medical director of a clinic that served many working-class patients, I saw how vital our safety nets are.

When I ran for the Maine House, my door-to-door conversations with the district’s residents reinforced what I had gleaned during my years as a physician and physician educator: that many of our neighbors are stretched thin.

I am worried that the two-year budget proposal from Gov. Paul LePage would make life more difficult for many of our fellow Mainers already struggling in our sluggish state economy.

The governor’s budget relies heavily on a tax shift to our local communities. The budget would suspend the revenue-sharing system for the state and municipalities, cut excise tax revenues communities rely upon for local road projects, eliminate important property tax reduction measures and require school districts to pay additional educational costs.

The governor’s budget proposal adds up to a $425 million tax shift to local communities, one that would lead to additional property taxes as our towns and cities try to close the funding gap.

Windham officials have been working to better understand the implications of the governor’s budget plan since its release.

Our town officials estimate Windham would lose more than $1 million from the suspension of revenue sharing, more than $327,000 in commercial vehicle excise tax and more than $111,000 due to changes in the business tax exemption and reimbursement programs.

They fear property taxes would increase by approximately $300 a year for the average home in Windham — unless the town eliminated services. Given the cutbacks of recent years, Windham could face the possibility of eliminating major programs or departments if it did not raise taxes.

This sobering analysis does not even take into account how the governor’s budget would affect the school side of Windham’s budget or the county.

In addition to the tax shift to municipalities, the governor’s budget hurts some crucial programs important to our neighbors.

The elimination of the homestead property tax exemption for those under 65 and the circuit-breaker program would hurt many property taxpayers even as their property taxes are bound to rise because of the governor’s tax shift.

In addition, some of our most vulnerable residents will suffer with the elimination of the Drugs of the Elderly Program. Our small rural hospitals also face harmful cuts.

Changing the tone of political dialogue was one of my primary motivations for seeking elected office. I remain committed to civil discourse even as I voice my objections to the detrimental aspects of Gov. LePage’s budget plan. It is a budget that would hurt many of our residents and thwart efforts to strengthen the economy and the middle class.

I know our state’s financial challenges are too big for one party to solve alone. So it is with an open heart and mind that I hope our Legislature will come together to seek a fairer and more reasonable budget for Maine.

Rep. Jane Pringle, D-Windham, is a retired primary care physician and physician educator who serves on the Insurance and Financial Services Committee.