AUGUSTA - The Maine House voted Tuesday to give initial approval to a measure sponsored by Rep. Raegan LaRochelle, D-Augusta, that would safeguard state funding for public education. The vote was 99-38.
In June 2021, the Maine Legislature passed a bipartisan budget that fulfilled the state's longstanding obligation to fund 55% of K-12 public education costs. Without raising any taxes, LD 1963 would create the Education Fair Share Fund, a stabilization fund that would act as a security net should future administrations fail to meet the 55% funding threshold. By preserving resources for Maines schools and students, the Education Fair Share Fund would also help municipalities avoid raising property taxes on Maine households and small businesses.
"The advancement of the Education Fair Share Fund signals a continued commitment to fund education," said LaRochelle. "For too long, our communities have had to carry the weight of supporting our schools. This initiative provides greater reliability to districts and municipalities planning their budgets and reduces the burden on taxpayers, all of which helps to ensure students have access to high quality education in the years to come."
Maine voters approved a citizen-initiated referendum calling on the state to fund 55% of the cost of public education nearly 17 years ago. When the biennial budget was passed into law last year, Maine met this funding responsibility for the first time since the referendum was approved.
The bill to create the Education Fair Share Fund received support from the Maine Education Association and from the Maine School Management Association on behalf of the Maine School Boards Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association.
LD 1963 faces additional votes in the coming weeks.
LaRochelle represents part of Augusta and is serving her first term in the Maine House. She sits on the Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business Committee.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [LaRochelle] c. 812-1111