HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-28 00-118 RESOLVECOUNCILAMON
Item No. 00-119
Date: February M, MO
Item/Subject Resolm Suppgrting an Increase In General Purpose Ab bo Eduaatlon
Rspanibb central City Council
The attached resolve was discussed at the joint BMgorjl ever Coundl meetlng of February 17. At that time,
a quorum of me Council was not present so the resolve appears on tonights consent agenda to albw for final
approval. Once approved, this and the other resolves discussed with de City Counol of Breva will be
forwarded as appropriate.
Department Head
Manager's comments:
I recommend your approval.
Mar
City ager
Associated Information: Resolve
Finance Director
Legal Approval:
ty liamr
Introduces! for Consent
X Passage
_Flint Reading pa9e_of
Referral to Finance
on'-' 18
Assigmed to Co cELTr Tremble Tebruary 17; 2090 �' b
81,
(a
City of Brewer and City of Bangor /-�^
PAT 04
(TITLE.) Resolve, Supporting an Increase in General Purpose Aid W Education.
WHEREAS, General Purpose Aid to Education is the pnmary State program designed to
Insure equality of educational access to all children throughout the State of
Maine; and
WHEREAS, General Purpose Aid to Education also provides local communities with some
relief from excessive property tax rates; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the State budget crises of the early 1990's, State Aid to
Education was reduced, shifting significant additional burden onto local
property tax payers; and
WHEREAS, while some recent progress has been made, State aid continues to fall far
short of majority support for local educatlon; and
WHEREAS, at the same time, the State has embarked on a program designed to require
all schools m meet additional educational requirements through the
Learning Results Program; and
WHEREAS, during the first session of the 1190 Legislature, the Joint Standing
Committee on Education developed a multi-year plan to return State aid to
local education W appropriate levels; and
WHEREAS, while State aid was increased for Fiscal Year 2000, this increase was
Insufficient to support the Educatlon Committee's plan; and
WHEREAS, the existing State appropriation for Fiscal Year 2001 not only does not
address the Fiscal Year 2000 shortfall, it Is far short of providing any hope
that the State will recognize its responsibility for majority education funding;
and
WHEREAS, for the last several years, the State of Maine has exceeded its revenue
projections due to the strong national and state economy, and revenue
projections for Fiscal Year 2001 remain far above current appropriations;
and
WHEREAS, if this opportunity to increase General Purpose Aid is not taken, both the
State and its local communities will be poorly positioned to maintain
educational funding and programs should the State economy slow or falter;
and
WHEREAS, it is essential that the State recognize its responsibilities to support local K
through 12 education in order to insure that Maine students are provided
with equal access to quality education and that our young people are
prepared to successfully engage in today's global economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCILS OF THE CITIES OF
BREWER AND BANGOR, THAT:
We urge the Governor and the State Legislature to increase the funding level for
General purpose Aid for Fiscal Year 2001 to the level necessary to implement the
recommendations developed by the Joint Standing Committee on Education as they
were developed during the first session of the 1W Legislature. Toward this end, that
appropriation must not only meet the objectives of this plan for Fiscal Year 2001, but
also address the short fall in the fiscal Year 2000 funding level. Overall, we urge an
additional General Purpose Aid to Education appropriation of $99.3 million for this
coming year in support of the Committee's effort to achieve majority State funding
within a reasonable time period and to Insure that the local property tax burden
associated with education is minimized and controlled.
in un comen
February a, 2000 00-119
Passed RESOLVE
We, supporting an Increase in cenerab
C d I Purpose fad t0 Mutation
Assigned to