The Stand Up for Students ballot initiative increases state funding for public education for grades K-12 by creating a surcharge on households earning more than $200,000. The Stand Up for Students ballot initiative:

•Creates a 3-percent surcharge on household income earned over $200,000 – after all deductions. Someone earning $300,000 would pay a surcharge of $3,000 as an example.

• Impacts the top 2 percent of taxpayers in the state, allowing the wealthiest to pay their fair share. Right now, someone earning $40,000 and $1 million pay the same tax rate.

• Requires funding from the surcharge to be used for direct classroom instruction, including teachers, school nurses and other critical public school personnel.

• Generates more than $150 million more for public schools statewide.

• Provides property tax relief while increasing school funding.

In 2004, through a ballot initiative, voters asked the state to fund 55 percent of the total cost of education. To this day, that funding requirement has never been met.

Instead, according to figures from the Department of Education, for the last six years, funding for public schools has not kept up with the costs of running those schools. In 2015-16, the state only paid 46.6 percent of the total cost of education.

The cost of education increased by 2.6 percent in the current school year, according to the Maine Department of Education; funding did not keep up with that increase. Also in the current school year, the state fell $178 million short of reaching the 55 percent funding level.

The lack of funding at 55 percent equates to a cumulative loss in state funding for public schools of $1.2 billion since 2008.

In 2004, Maine people voted for the state to fund 55 percent of pre-K to 12 education, but for the past few years, that hasn’t happened. Towns are struggling to make up the difference, and property taxpayers are paying the price.

When the state fails to pay its share of school funding, our children and our communities suffer. Towns have to make up the difference, often by raising property taxes, cutting services or both.

It’s time for the state of Maine to keep its promise to Maine children and Maine communities so that every child can get a great education at a great public school.

Bob Mills
City Councilor
Biddeford