School funding debate looms

Kennebec Journal, March 20, 2008

(excerpt) A debate about whether the state should continue to work toward funding 55 percent of the cost of education -- a mandate approved by voters in 2004 -- is brewing at the Legislature.

Rep. Henry Joy, R-Crystal, is sponsoring a bill to cut the level from 55 percent to 49 percent. He said the state can't afford it and voters didn't understand how it would work when they approved it.

Joy said with the state facing a $190 million budget shortfall, which might grow even larger, and it's time to revisit the 55-percent expectation.

"The hole in the budget brings desperate times and it brings about desperate measures to solve it," he said.

But others disagree with his approach.