HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-02-23 99-103 RESOLVE99-103
Assigned to Cwudlav Blanchette February 23, 1999
CITY OF BANGOR
(TrrLE.) Resolve y CALLING UPON THE STATE OF MAINE TO MEET ITS
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WHEREAS, the education of our youth B of critical Importance to the fours of our State, our
economy, and the social fabric which makes communities in Maine spedal places to live,
to work, and to raise a family; and
WHEREAS, since the founding of our Republic, a sbang public school system has been recognized
as the central foundation of Amerian democracy; and
WHEREAS, our public schools have home the brunt M eight long years of inadequate State funding
which has required that school systems address shat -term problems as opposed to
lag -term needs and investments; and
WHEREAS, the financial needs associated with public education have been a major factor in
developing overdependence of the State's M system on the property taz; and
WHEREAS, in 1991, the Ntal state share of education fuming was 51.27%, a share which has now
fallen to M%; and
WHEREAS, the total "so-callW optional local appropriation relsed from local property tom has
Increased from $99.6 million for Fiscal Year 1991 to $265 million for Fiscal Year 1996;
and
WHEREAS, for Fiscal Year 1991, General Wrprse Aid was M.4% of the State's General Fund, a
percentage which has fallen to 27.3% for Fiscal Year 19%; and
WHEREAS, a rc¢um u majority State finding (55%) for Fiscal Year 2000 requires an additional
$171.2 mil0on from General Fund Revenue; and
WHEREAS, directing State revenues toward education ending will assist in addressing the
educational needs of our children and provide esmOWl property W relief to our
citiaenc; and
WHEREAS, while the Scale enjoys the heartiest economy and highest State revenues since 1991
and the State "Ralny bay" Fad is financially secure, our State faces the prospect of
lag -torn economic austerity unless we Invest wisely In our State's future development
through funding and supporting our public schools.
99-103
NOW, THEREFORE, BE rr RESOLVED BY THE QTY COUNCIL OF THE QTY OF BANGOR, meeting in
W soman with the CRy Council of the Ctty of Brewer, Mat We hereby oil upon the
Governor and our State Legislature to establish a thm year plan for returning to full state
funding for education (55% State share) by Increasing General Purpose AM for Education by
$57 million Per year for eaN of the next three years. FLIT funding Is essential in order to
provide equal opportunities to learn for all Maine children; M implement Maines Learning
Results; and to move Mward an essential programs and serer model for funding K-12
education; and
BE fr RIRTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this remits M sent W the Governor, appropriate members
of the State Legislature, one Maim School Management Association, and the Bangor Schod
Committee.
PASSED AND APPROVED, this the 23" day of February, 1999.
IN CITY COONCIL
February 23, 1999
Motion far passage Mede
and seconded
Passed
O r
um
99-103
R s S Y V
'lupin¢ Ooov the State of Ma1m m Meet
Its Obligation to Adequately Food Cevetal
Purpose A1d to 8dutatlon
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