For Immediate Release
September 30, 2003

Contact:
Carolyn Manson
(207) 623-0363, ext 104

The Maine Tourism Association, Maine's largest private tourism organization representing over 1,700 tourism businesses from throughout Maine, has endorsed Question 1B on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The group's membership includes restaurants, hotels, inns, B&B's, chambers of commerce, retail establishments and campgrounds. It's website is at www.mainetourism.com.

Vaughn Stinson, MTA Chief Executive said: "The Maine Tourism Association supports the competing measure Item I-B approved by the Governor and the Legislature. This is the best and most reasoned approach to reaching the 55% funding for the essential programs and services of education and providing for property tax relief. It provides a plan that allows us to live within our means without the burden of increased taxes."

Dana Connors, chairman of the 1B campaign group, Mainers for Real and Responsible Property Tax Relief, said today's endorsement of the Maine Tourism Association is the fifth major endorsement in recent weeks.

Other endorsements include: The Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education, the State Board of Education, the Maine Merchants Association, and the Maine Restaurant Association.

Organizers for Mainers for Real and Responsible Property Tax Relief say Question 1B's approach of increasing state support for the essential programs and services of education to 55 percent over a 5-year period is a wiser, less destructive approach than Question 1A, which would require the State to immediately raise taxes or cut spending by a total of $245.5 million to make up the difference.

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