State has controlling interest in schools

Maine Sunday Telegram, March 18, 2007

(excerpt) But there's an audacity to the governor's proposal and the attitude of legislative leaders that wasn't there before.

Let's say for a minute you own shares in a business equal to 45 percent of the stock. Then let's say you invested more and were now controlling 55 percent of the stock.

Wouldn't you think that 55 percent share would entitle you to choose how the company would be run?

As a preemptive move against referendums aimed at capping taxing and/or spending, the Maine Municipal Association came up with a plan to tackle the problem of high property taxes here. The central component was a proposal to raise the state's share of local school costs to 55 percent.

That plan got put on the ballot and was approved by the voters. And while the last Legislature used its authority to modify it to give the state time to come up with the money, progress is being made each year toward the 55 percent goal.

Is it any wonder that now that the state is paying for most of our kids' educations, it wants a greater say in how those services are delivered?

Governments do not give money to other units of government without strings. Ever. If local officials thought they could get the state to give them more money without wanting more control, then they're about to get a very difficult lesson in political science.