If you take for granted that the current property tax situation is in need of reform, then option 1A is very worthy of consideration.It will reduce local property taxes by an average of 15% statewide and require the state to pay 55% of the cost of K-12 education.By doing this, the state would then be meeting its 19-year old responsibility to fund K-12 education at this level.Currently the support from the state for K-12 education is only 42%!

This past year in Greenville, over $250,000 had to be raised in property taxes to off-set the reductions in state funding.This has been the trend for many years in Greenville, contributing to higher local property tax rates. Something must be done to alter this course, and we believe the relief inherent to question 1A will best improve our situation.

Question 1A was crafted to be reasonable and achievable, to provide property tax relief, to compel tax reform, and to create incentives for leaner government and to develop a plan to remove Maine’s title of “highest taxed state in the nation.”

In August, the Legislature put together a competing measure – Question 1B - on the ballot that delays property tax relief, doesn’t address Maine’s tax burden or reform the tax code.In fact, 246 towns and school districts – including the Town of Greenville and School Union #60 -will LOSE education funding in the first year of 1B’s implementation.

Estimates show that Greenville schools would benefit greatly from Question 1A, increasing our share of GPA by much more than we have been losing annually.Although Greenville is considered a ‘low receiver” of GPA funds through our current state funding formula, the cumulative effect of having more state funds in the system, as well as additional funds for special education needs would greatly benefit our local school budget, and allow relief to the property taxpayer.

Question 1A does several things which 1B does not.First, it requires the state to fund the cost of Special Education at 100% for every school district.Second, 1A calls for creation of an incentive program for both school districts and towns to work together cooperatively to lower overall costs.Third, 1A directs the legislature to develop a comprehensive plan to reform all three forms of taxation: property, sales and income taxes.Question 1A is the only initiative to include these provisions.

The Greenville Board of Selectmen and the Greenville School Committee have each adopted resolutions of support for Question 1A.Other towns and school districts statewide have endorsed this proposal, as well as the Maine Municipal Association and the Maine School Board’s Association.In addition, the Maine School Superintendent’s Association, the Maine Principal’s Association, the Maine Education Association and the Greenville Education Association have each endorsed 1A.

As Greenville’s Town Manager and School Union #60’s Superintendent, we urge Greenville’s residents and all Mainers to vote for 1A November 4, 2003.It is the best option available to us for immediate support of education, significant property tax relief and overall tax reform.

Sincerely;

John Simko - Town Manager

Dr. Steve Pound - Greenville Superintendent, School Union #60