AUGUSTA - Following the Mills administration's announcement on Wednesday of plans to make historic investments in Maine schools, including a proposal for the state to reach 55% funding for K-12 local education costs, House Democrats serving on the Legislature's Education and Cultural Affairs Committee released statements in support of the plan.
"This is a major step forward towards addressing long-standing problems with state funding of education," said Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, House chair of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. "This couldn't come at a better time coupled with the federal ARP money, it will allow us to deal with problems caused by COVID-19 and provide meaningful property tax relief. The additional funding for higher education will make post-secondary education more affordable and support economic recovery."
"Education costs are always such a large percentage of municipal budgets," said Rep. Jan Dodge, D-Belfast. "Appropriate funding at 55% is a benefit that's long overdue, and I am thrilled to see our state will finally be able to meet that need."
"This is a great day for public education in Maine. I am very proud of our committee's efforts to increase local K-12 funding and to make college more affordable, which is reflected in the governor's proposal," said Rep. Ed Crockett, D-Portland. "Increasing the Maine State Grant Programs maximum award to $2,500, an objective of mine, is long overdue and a huge step in supporting our young people."
"Gov. Mill's plan to increase state funding for local schools will alleviate much of the tax burden on Maine's towns," said Rep. David McCrea, D-Fort Fairfield. "Here in Aroostook County, and throughout the entire state, this increase in state education funding will seriously benefit our school districts, our students and our teachers. Maine has needed to significantly increase state funding for local education, and I am glad that ARP funds helped us reach this long-awaited achievement."
"I am grateful that Gov. Mills is taking the last big step in getting the state to meet its obligation to fund 55% of the total cost of education in Maine," said Rep. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth. "My Democratic colleagues and I have been advocating for the state to get to 55% every year I have been in the Legislature. Its fantastic to see us reach this milestone today."
"The proposal to fund 55% of education costs will be a huge boost to local school districts who have been through so much this past year," said Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook. "This proposal, combined with increasing revenue sharing, will ease some of the burden on municipalities who have stepped up to meet these challenging times."
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Brennan, Crockett, Dodge, McCrea, Millett, Salisbury], c. 812-1111