On the Beer, Wine, & Soda Tax

Lots of folks may drink more beer than I do, but can't imagine anyone liking it more. I've taken it hard that recent hops crop failures have combined with global grain shortages to push prices high. Nonetheless, I want to pass along MEA President Chris Galgay's thoughts about why we should not sign the petition to stop new taxes from pushing the prices of beer, wine, and soda even higher.


Chris writes:

There is mischief afoot and MEA is encouraging you to beware of a petition drive being sponsored by corporate interests that could harm our neediest students, and could have a negative impact on state funding for education or our health insurance program.

If you are asked to sign the “People’s Veto” petition repealing the tax on beer, wine, and soda, decline to sign.

Here is why:

· Repeal would eliminate funding for a state subsidized health insurance plan that covers our neediest families and many students in our classrooms.

· More uninsured families means hospitals and doctors will have to raise the rates on the rest of us to meet their unpaid expenses.
· If funding is cut, the legislature may help our poorest citizens by making cuts in other areas of the budget – and education is a large part of that budget.

· Should the beer and wine industry repeal effort succeed, legislators may attempt to take over the MEA Health Plan again – so it could become a serious threat to the excellent benefits and moderate rates our current and retired educators enjoy.

While any tax increase is difficult to accept in these economic times, the loss of health insurance would be disastrous for thousands of Maine families. A few cents per bottle seems a reasonable price to ensure medical care for our students and prevent mischief that could undermine educators’ interests.

Please join with the Maine Medical Association, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association of Maine, and the Maine State Employees Association in asking others to think carefully about the true costs before they buy this repeal package from the beer, wine and soda industry. Decline to sign.

Building reps 08-09

We need reps for all the buildings. While we don't have the membership numbers that would tell us precisely how many each school gets, you can bet it is roughly the same as this year. If you are willing to serve, email (or even better, post a reply below).

SPTA Retirement Tea

Members of the SPTA, district administrators, and School Board Chairman Rick Carter gathered yesterday in the SPHS cafeteria to honor Susanne MacArthur, Louisa Beckett, Patsy Roberts, David Cidorowich, Margaret LeTourneau, Patsy Chittick, Beth Stevens, Judy Kline, Sheryle Towle, and Mike Towle. Congratulations to all these folks and wishes of best fortune to all of them.

We all owe our gratitude to Sue Franck and her students for the feast they put out for the event. Gail Ryder did an enormous amount of work, including repotting the flowers presented to each retiree, purchasing gifts for each, and signing all their cards. Jerry Hunter's fiscal management made sure that we could afford all that we spent. The SPTA is fortunate to have such hardworking folks.

MEA-RA

The MEA-RA will meet this weekend in Rockland. Unfortunately, a conflict will force me to be absent. Brian Jandreau (VP-elect & MEA Director-elect) will be present. SPTA has three seats at the RA, at which legislative priorities, budget, dues, officers, and such things are voted on.

If any member is ever interested in attending, please contact me. SPTA has three seats, only one of which will be filled this year.

School Budget

The SP School Budget passed 753-715. I want to express our gratitude to all the voters who supported the budget. As we know, it was a lean budget to begin with, so failure to pass it would likely have resulted in some grim choices.

The school department's leadership in providing information to the community was certainly successful. Suzanne Godin and the administrative team should be congratulated. The help of Brian Kilroy and the MEA in providing access to membership lists for the SPTA was also important. Of course, the 753 voters who stirred themselves to support us should all be thanked. And finally, we should all be reminded that any election can be razor thin and no vote should be considered insignificant.

On the Sporadic Nature of Posts

I tend to post in fits and starts, but then again, things tend to happen in little flurries rather than a steady stream of developments. I've tried to think of something to post about during the interims, but the things I write sound like failed attempts to create vignettes for NPR. If folks have good ideas (or even mediocre ideas) for content, please email them to me.

SP School Public Vote

This year, voters across Maine will have the option to ratify or reject their local school budgets. Voters in South Portland will cast their ballots on Tuesday, May 13 at the South Portland Community Center. Those who need to vote early will be able to cast ballots at South Portland City Hall between May 6 and May 12 during normal business hours.

Because there is nothing else on this budget, turnout will be much lighter than next November. Your vote counts proportionally more in a lighter turnout (Mr Lamarre: can you back me up if anyone doubts this?).

Please please PLEASE find out about the budget, talk to people whose opinions you trust, and cast your ballot on or before May 13. Thanks.

Statewide Screening & Endorsements

The MEA will hold statewide screening and endorsements on June 19 & 20 (Friday night and Saturday) at the Cohen Community Center in Hallowell. Members of the S&E team will listen to candidates for US House and US Senate answer questions about education and labor related issues, following which they will vote to recommend endorsements. Because I am a local president as well as a member of the Government Relations committee, I have two seats. If any member would like to attend as the president's designee, I'd be very glad to have appoint her/him.

MEA shifted from an all-member ballot to this process after the 2000 election cycle. The result may suggest that the process is merely confirmation of an automatic Democratic nominee, but that's not entirely true. Robust debate has preceded some of the endorsements, especially in 2006. Further, my recollection is that Senator Snowe was endorsed last cycle, but someone could correct me on that. More importantly, there's value in the candidates taking an hour or so to address educational issues in a public forum with a group of informed professionals.

Please consider joining us there.