For Immediate Release
June 02, 2004

Contact:
Larry Benoit
(207) 774-1200
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 883-6083
E-mail: beryl@wolfepr.com

Education leaders, school funding experts and policymakers came out against Question 1 today, saying the initiative would overburden taxpayers throughout the state and ’saddle Maine schools with bad education policies.’

Dolly Sullivan, Program Director of the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, announced that the coalition of nearly 50 business, education, governmental and community leaders is opposed to Question 1. The Board of the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education (MCEE) voted at its last meeting to support the Vote No on Question 1 campaign, saying that Question 1 is bad education policy.

According to Peter Geiger, MCEE board Chair, “Our organization has long support the Essential Programs and Services school funding model, embodied in the recently passed LD 1924, because it provides equity for all Maine students as well as Maine taxpayers.

Geiger went to add that “LD 1924 is a more fiscally responsible way to increase the State’s share of education funding than the approach of Question 1. With the passage of LD 1924, the Legislature has committed to an approach without the drastic fiscal and special education implications of Question 1.”

James Rier, Management Information Systems Team Leader with the Maine Department of Education, said, “the difficulty with Question 1is that it does not define what in education should be funded. Reimbursing 100% of Special Education establishes a policy direction that will perpetuate high costs, direct funds from other programs and therefore will not address the needs of all students. On the other hand, LD 1924 recently signed into law by Governor Baldacci, provides additional funds for education through a structured, well planned approach known as Essential Programs and Services. Funds will come from the normal expected growth in state revenues and does not rely on taking funds from other vital state services.”

Joyce McPhetres, Member of the State Board of Education said, “The State Board of education took the unusual step of opposing Question 1 on the June 8th ballot. The Legislature recently enacted LD 1924 to address education funding and property tax relief. LD 1924 accomplishes many of the goals in Question 1, but without the adverse impact on the state’s budget. The new law provides clear direction for a responsible, reasonable and affordable solution by gradually increasing state aid to education through Essential Programs and Services (EPS) without the need for tax increases or cuts in vital programs and services.”

Gulliver added, “we do not support this proposal because it fails to specifically begin the process of controlling local spending that is driving up property taxes inexorably. The State Board also recognizes that funding for education must exist in balance with other needs in our state. An immediate increase of $245 million in spending will come at the expense of other vital state programs.”

Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and chairman of Mainers for Real and Responsible Property Tax Relief, a non-partisan campaign committee which advocates a No vote on Question 1, said he was heartened by the support from such a broad range of education and funding experts.

"LD 1924 is a commitment to increase state support of education to 55 percent that we can afford without raising taxes and without cutting vital state services that are already strapped," said Connors. "It's the Maine way and deserves the support of all Mainers.”

George Campbell of Portland, former Mayor of Portland, serves as the group’s Treasurer. Other supporters of the coalition include members of the Legislature, business leaders, health and social services organizations and education leaders, including the following:

Bancroft & Company
Casella Waste Systems
Dead River Company
Domtar Industries, Inc.
Georgia-Pacific
Independent Energy Producers of Maine
International Paper
L.L. Bean, Inc.
Madison Paper Industries
Maine Association of Interdependent Neighborhoods
Maine Association of REALTORS
Maine Bankers Association
Maine Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association
Maine Center for Economic Policy
Maine Children’s Alliance
Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education
Maine Equal Justice Project
Maine Health Care Association
Maine Innkeepers Association
Maine Merchants Association
Maine Peoples Alliance
Maine Pulp and Paper Association
Maine Restaurant Association
Maine Small Business Alliance
Maine State Board of Education
Maine State Chamber of Commerce
Maine State Employee Association, SEIU Local 1989
Maine Tourism Association
Maine Women’s Lobby
Merrill Marine Terminal Services, Inc.
National Federation of Independent Business - Maine
National Semiconductor
Nexfor Fraser Paper
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Plum Creek Timber Company
Portland Regional Chamber
Sappi
Specialty Minerals
Tambrands
UnumProvident Corporation
Verizon

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