LEWISTON, Maine - Maine business leaders say a ballot question that would increase education funding is flawed. Question 2 would add a 3 percent tax on incomes greater than $200,000 to support schools.
But at a press conference in Portland today, Maine State Chamber of Commerce President Dana Connors said that under the state funding formula many communities would not receive any extra funding.
"Eighty-five communities throughout the state, a large number of them rural in nature, would receive zero dollars," he said. "Another 36, approximately, which would be part of an RSU, and even though the RSU may receive dollars, that town would not. An additional 30 plus would receive less than $100,000."
Proponents of Question 2 say the income tax on the state's top earners would fill the gap in state education funding.
