GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION PROPOSALS GUTTED IN COMMITTEE

Posted: March 23, 2012 | Education and Cultural Affairs, Senator Alfond

 AUGUSTA—Maine’s Education and Cultural Affairs committee today voted with bipartisan support to gut two of the governor’s education bills. The bills as proposed by the governor would have created a voucher system radically redistributing taxpayer money for public education and creating a two-tier education system.

 

 

In a vote of 10 – 2 the committee voted LD LD 1866 An Act To Remove Inequity in Student Access to Certain School “ought not to pass”.

 

 

“I am pleased that the committee agreed that the governor’s proposals were too extreme,” said Assistant Democratic leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “We have an obligation to support our community public schools. Siphoning taxpayer dollars away from our public schools to pay for religious or private education is just plain wrong.”

 

 

The committee turned LD 1854, An Act To Expand Educational Opportunities for Maine Students into a Resolve directing a study to look at the implementation of open vouchers in Maine.

 

 

“The proposal today gives us more time to study how to deliver the best education to all Maine students,” said Rep. Mary Nelson of Falmouth.

 

 

The committee has asked that a letter be sent to all Maine superintendents and school boards reinforcing existing agreements between districts.