123rd
Adjourns in a MuddleMaine’s 123rd Legislature finally adjourned but, according to MEA Executive Director Mark Gray, "The turmoil created by this legislative biennium will plague our State for many years." "Legislators moved from regionalizing school administration to consolidating school districts and back again; from boldly calling for broad-based tax reform to putting it off to get past one more election year; and, from economic stimulation to failing to adequately address business infrastructure needs," notes Gray. He believes the 123 rd Legislature showed disdain for the will of Maine voters and the economic future of our State: "In 2004, voters approved a statewide referendum that called for the Legislature to keep its 20-year promise to fund 55% of the cost of our public schools within the next biennium and take the pressure off local property taxpayers.""Four budget cycles later," Gray concludes, "the 123 rd Legislature not only failed its obligation to provide property tax relief, it engaged in budget chicanery regarding the true cost of the state obligation in order to disguise its failure to comply with the will of the voters.""In 2004 and 2006, Maine voters demonstrated their dissatisfaction with our State’s antiquated tax structure and the disproportionate burden it places on local property taxpayers and individual citizens of modest means," says Gray. "Both the Palesky Tax Cap and TABOR spending and expenditure limit referenda were defeated because they were random and indiscriminate, but thoughtful, forward-thinking tax reform never materialized." "The leadership and political will to accomplish such goals remained conspicuously absent during the 123 rd Legislature, but there will always be next session. Maine can and must do better," Gray concludes. |