The facts distorted

This is a response to a letter written by Robert and Sandra Brennan of South Freeport (BDN, May 26).

The letter is correct when it paints me as an opponent of the magnet school. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and a daily reader of most of Maine’s major daily newspapers, I know the financial plight of most of the state’s school districts. Knowing this, I cannot in good faith support a school that plans to spend in excess of $3.5 million for room and board and tuition for 300 students at the expense of 215,000 other children in the state.

I must also point out that legislators have many responsibilities. In the committee process it is not uncommon to have a legislator present a bill and then leave. The reason is that that legislator must return to his or her own committee that is conducting business in his or her absence. Most committees have overlapping meeting times. I feel that to imply I was rude to leave the Education Committee hearing without knowing the facts is irresponsible. Also, a rule of the Legislature is that even though you plan to have your bill “killed” you still must present it to the public. Once again a lack of knowledge caused an inappropriate response.

Finally, it was my decision to appear on “Maine Watch.” I fully understood the format and I could have refused the invitation. I did not. I commend the young man for the excellent job he did in his presentation. If more adults were as responsible as this young man, perhaps we would have fewer letters to the editor distorting facts and using inflammatory language. Rep. Hugh A. Morrison Bangor