Leaders oppose Question 1

PORTLAND – State business and labor leaders have joined Gov. John Baldacci in voicing opposition to a school funding question on the June ballot. They contend the measure would hurt the state and threaten property tax relief.

Representatives of the Maine Children’s Alliance, the Maine Innkeepers Association, UnumProvident Corp., L.L. Bean and others gathered Monday for a news conference to oppose Question 1 on the ballot.

Baldacci said Question 1, which would increase state aid to local schools from about 43 percent to 55 percent, “hurts everyone.” The projected cost would be about $245 million, he said.

“If we’re going to come up with $245 million a year, certainly there are going to be some large cuts” in programs for the elderly, for children and families and for public safety, Baldacci said.

If Question 1 passes, there is no guarantee that cities and towns across the state will actually cut property taxes.

A law passed this past legislative session aimed to increase state aid to local education over several years.

Dana Lee, vice president of the municipal association and chairman of the Citizens to Reduce Local Property Taxes Statewide, said that’s not enough.

Lee said the Legislature did not properly fund the tax law, which is known as “Essential Programs and Services,” adding that the state has promised to fund local schools by 55 percent for 20 years but had yet to do so.

“All they’re really doing is reamortizing the last broken promise. The last broken promise was a 20-year note,” Lee said. “This is a five-year note.”