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Stephen King to Maine’s Governor LaPage: “Man Up and Apologize.”
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Horror icon Stephen King took to Twitter to call out Republican Gov. LePage for claiming that the author didn’t pay Maine income tax. LePage had made the claim on his weekly radio address.
Governor Paul LePage implied that I don't pay my taxes. I do. Every cent. I think he needs to man up and apologize.
No apology from Governor LePage. Some guys are a lot better at dishing it out than taking it back.
King elaborated in a letter to the Portland Press Herald:
In 2013, my wife and I paid approximately 1.4 million (dollars) in state taxes. As this is a matter of public record, I have no problem telling you that. I would imagine 2014 was about the same, but I do not have those figures.
King, who is one of the best-selling authors in the world, also noted he donates several million to charities. King is an outspoken Democrat and endorsed the conservative LePage’s rival in the last election.
King was born in Portland, Maine, graduated from the University of Maine, and has set a large number of his best-selling novels and stories in Maine.
LePage has yet to apologize.
UPDATE from 3/27: Maine’s governor finally responded, saying he would not apologize but telling King, “Just make me the villain of your next book and I won’t charge you royalties.”
