The Maine Wire
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending News
  • Pro-Abortion Satanist Berates Christians Protesting Outside Portland Planned Parenthood
  • Liberals Roast “Great White Mother” Mills for Opposition to Tribal Sovereignty Bill
  • Golden Backs “Lukewarm” Debt Ceiling Deal But Criticizes Cuts to IRS
  • Auburn Rep Files Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of PAC Fundraising Restrictions
  • Bangor-area Church Sues School Board for Religious Discrimination in Lease Rejection
  • Protest at Maine State House for Iraq War Veteran Killed in 2022 Memorial Day Shooting
  • Competitive Shooting Event to Raise More Than $75k for Travis Mills Foundation with USPSA Maine State Championship
  • GOP Wants Limits on “Net Energy Billing” to Rein in Electricity Rates
Facebook Twitter Instagram
The Maine Wire
Login
Friday, June 2
  • News
  • Commentary
  • Maine Wire TV
  • About
  • Contact
The Maine Wire
Home » News » Education reforms should be part of state budget deal
Education

Education reforms should be part of state budget deal

Jason SavageBy Jason SavageJune 6, 2017Updated:June 6, 2017No Comments4 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Reddit
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email

Yes, I know, I know.

This past November, voters narrowly passed a referendum presented by liberal special interest groups that demanded a massive tax increase on “wealthy” Mainers to chase the long elusive goal of funding Maine’s public schools at 55 percent.

Besides the purported revenue windfall from this surtax not materializing, it is important to consider what public support of a 55 percent funding threshold actually means, and what it doesn’t.

Historically, state funding of local education looks like a public policy version of Charlie Brown trying to kick the football Lucy is always waiting to yank away at the last second. No legislature has ever hit the 55 percent.

Between hundreds of local school budgets being driven up faster than taxpayers can afford, and the definition of what the legislature is trying to fund being changed to make the target more expensive, lawmakers have been essentially trying to kick 200 footballs while an equal number of Lucys try to yank it away – to their own benefit.

The referendum to provide more funding to public schools was not a ringing endorsement of the status quo in Maine’s public education. If anything, it was a statement that Mainers generally feel like our public education system has potential to do better than the status quo, and they took action on the only option they were given.

It is folly to believe that Maine voters were giving a mandate to continue the status quo in public education at a dramatically higher cost, and it is equally absurd to look Maine taxpayers in the eye and tell them that they are getting the best possible value for their tax dollars when only 59 cents of every education dollar makes it into the classroom.

I submit that the referendum that passed was also not a mandate that state lawmakers never look for ways to find savings in public education. In fact, I believe that Maine voters absolutely understand, and support, efforts to find savings through regionalized services and other measures.

Maine’s public education system is currently built for the larger student population we once had. Our schools were built to support 40 percent more students than are in Maine today, and costs have not decreased while student enrollment has plummeted. Public education spending is increasing at rates far greater than the incomes of Maine people.

House Republican Leader Ken Fredette laid out some principles in a recent op-ed to the Portland Press Herald that clearly define some ways we can reform our education system, provide better value for Maine students and taxpayers, and get more dollars into the classroom.

This serious approach to reforming public education is part of the answer to improving results, saving taxpayer money and providing students with a better education.

We owe everyone a better answer to our challenges than the liberal approach of just throwing more money into a system that has struggled to provide value after spending increases. A referendum that was sold largely on the idea of improving schools and the funding of public education can be respected through reforms that do not increase taxes, but deliver a better education for students and greater value for taxpayers.

If we want better outcomes from our schools, we can’t just provide more money in the budget, we also have to change the system.

Fair-minded lawmakers understand this and are working on a reform package. Republicans are united around this approach as a key component of a budget deal. Here is to hoping that Democrats and “independent” lawmakers will see the wisdom in it as well.

In doing so, we take away the chance of those footballs getting yanked away from future lawmakers who are sincerely trying to do what is best for our public schools.

Biennial Budget Commentary education Education Funding Featured public schools question 2 surtax
Previous ArticleThere is no amount of your money the Legislature will not spend
Next Article Mayhew announces 2018 gubernatorial bid
Jason Savage

Jason Savage has been the Executive Director of the Maine GOP since 2013. Before heading up Maine's premier political party, he co-founded and served as Executive Director of the non-profit organization Maine People Before Politics, where he advocated for lower taxes, less debt, welfare reform and other priorities for Maine people. Jason's work has been published in every major newspaper in Maine.

Related Posts

Largest Teachers Union Backs LGBTQ Group That Encourages Hiding Student Gender Changes

May 30, 2023

Falmouth Elementary School Hosts “Pride” Fundraiser for Democratic Lobbyist Group

May 30, 2023

Investigation Launched Into Alleged ‘Inappropriate Relationship’ Between Bangor High Staff Member and Student

May 26, 2023

Leave A Reply

Recent News

Pro-Abortion Satanist Berates Christians Protesting Outside Portland Planned Parenthood

June 1, 2023

Liberals Roast “Great White Mother” Mills for Opposition to Tribal Sovereignty Bill

June 1, 2023

Golden Backs “Lukewarm” Debt Ceiling Deal But Criticizes Cuts to IRS

June 1, 2023

Auburn Rep Files Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of PAC Fundraising Restrictions

June 1, 2023

Bangor-area Church Sues School Board for Religious Discrimination in Lease Rejection

May 31, 2023
Newsletter

News

  • News
  • Campaigns & Elections
  • Opinion & Commentary
  • Media Watch
  • Education
  • Media

Maine Wire

  • About the Maine Wire
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Submit Commentary
  • Complaints
  • Maine Policy Institute

Resources

  • Maine Legislature
  • Legislation Finder
  • Get the Newsletter
  • Maine Wire TV

Facebook Twitter Instagram Steam RSS
  • Post Office Box 7829, Portland, Maine 04112

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Sign In or Register

Welcome Back!

Login below or Register Now.

Lost password?

Register Now!

Already registered? Login.

A password will be e-mailed to you.