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For Immediate Release
September 16, 2003

Contact:
Jean Gulliver
(207) 781-3121
E-mail: beryl@wolfepr.com

Beryl Wolfe
(207) 883-6083

1B Supporters Laud State Board of Education Unanimous Vote to Support Question 1B

Endorsement Seen as a Major Setback for Proponents of 1A

AUGUSTA, Maine, Sept. 16, 2003 --- Question 1B organizers commended the State Board of Education's unanimous vote to support a "Yes" vote on Question 1B, saying it's the more fiscally responsible of the two competing tax reform proposals on the Nov. 4 ballot. The board voted Friday 9 to 0 to support 1B.

"This is a solid endorsement, and one that shows 1B is clearly better for education in our state, as well as the taxpayers," said Dana Connors, who is chairman of the bipartisan campaign committee, Mainers for Real and Responsible Property Tax Relief, the group that supports 1B. "We commend the board for their action on this important matter."

Jean Gulliver, Chair of the State Board of Education and a resident of Falmouth, said 1B is the only way to support education while responsibly lowering property taxes.

"Question 1B is better education policy, as well as smarter fiscal policy," Gulliver said.

Question 1B will increase state support of education to 55 percent over a 5-year period without raising taxes or cutting vital state services. The Board of Education vote Friday for 1B bolsters the new group's assertion that the measure is a more reasonable approach to tax reform.

The vote also comes as a blow to proponents of 1A, the MMA plan that would require the State to immediately raise taxes or cut spending by a total of $246 million a year with no guarantee or legal requirement that municipalities would pass along the extra money in the form of local property tax relief.

"Question 1A is not in anyone's best interest as it will require too much too soon," said Connors. "That's why the State Board of Education voted unanimously to support 1B, the more fiscally responsible way to go about tax relief."

The State Board of Education consists of nine members from throughout the state. For additional information on the resolution, go to the state board's website at http://www.state.me.us/education/sb/homepage.htm. A full text of the resolution is below.


# # #



RESOLUTION


STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION


September 12, 2003



Support of LD 1629

One of the goals of the State Board of Education is to enhance "learning opportunities and support [education] systems through the efficient use of resources to accomplish essential services."

In pursuit of this goal the State Board of Education finds that it is in the best interests of the people of Maine to assure equitable and sufficient resources to support each student.

Furthermore, we believe that a responsible education funding plan, phased-in to achieve 55% state funding, will best serve our students without jeopardizing other critical state services. The addition of a limit on the mandated local mill rate to support education will assure greater taxpayer equity. The combination of funding based on Essential Programs and Services and a five-year phase in will achieve equity for both students and property taxpayers.

The State Board of Education believes that LD 1629, A Competing Measure, put forward by the Governor and Legislature, best achieves the needed balance. Therefore, the State Board supports this proposal that will appear on the ballot in November 2003.

Vote: 9-0-0 (Unanimous)









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