November Referenda

There will be a full ballot this coming fall, even without any statewide elections. In addition to some bonds and a medical marijuana proposal (yeah, we passed it, but this one has enhanced implementation features), there are three proposals of concern to MEA members.

The first, TABOR II, does not directly change school funding. Nonetheless, by placing a spending cap on municipal spending and requiring a referendum on any increase in statewide taxes or any new statewide taxes, education expenditures will be impacted. TABOR was bad news last time; it hasn't gotten any better since.

The second, an act to decrease the automobile excise tax, is also a concern. If adopted, the new rates (as of January 2010) would result in a 40% reduction. The aggregate cut to local governments would be $88 million. The excise tax was instituted to fund roads and bridges -- a cut like that would either shift money from other programs and services or defund Maine's road maintenance.

The third proposal would repeal the school district consolidation laws. MEA doesn't take a position on this because its members are divided. The division seems regional. From where I sit, I continue to marvel that Hawaii can manage a single school district that spans hundreds of miles and sprawls over several islands, but that Maine needs a couple of hundred school districts. Makes no sense to me, but neither does the way we required consolidation and then exempted almost anyone who didn't like the idea.