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Friday, June 21, 2002
Legislators ready to raid laptop fund
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||
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Gov. Angus King's recommendation to attack a budget shortfall by reducing state aid to public schools has some lawmakers ready to raid his pet program to equip schools with laptop computers. The $25 million laptop fund was targeted this past session by legislators who wanted to shift the dollars to school districts scheduled to get less aid from the state. The fund, while trimmed, survived the session. But now another budget crisis threatens to reduce school aid further to 100 districts, and lawmakers are asking about the laptop fund as a way to ease the cuts. On Wednesday, King outlined $90 million in cuts and changes he could make to ease an anticipated $180 million shortfall. The changes included $10 million less in basic school aid, a program that reduces the amount local taxpayers pay for their schools. King also said he would agree to take $10 million from the laptop fund. Other changes suggested by King were a furlough for state workers and reductions of payments to nursing homes. Policy changes, money transfers from other funds and tax-cut deferrals could cover the rest of the shortfall, he said. But his suggestions are getting a cool reception from some legislators, who say reductions in aid will make it hard for local school districts to meet basic needs. Sen. Lynn Bromley, D-South Portland, said it is hard to defend the computer program in light of cuts in services and education funding. "It's sort of like saying, 'Let them eat laptops.' I think it's a provocative thing to have out there if we have to hurt cities and towns," she said. Shifting the contents of the laptop fund to general aid might not be as simple as some lawmakers wish because Maine has a four-year, $37.2 million contract with Apple Computer. Apple will provide more than 18,000 iBooks to seventh-graders and their teachers in the next school year and more than 17,000 iBooks to eighth-graders and their teachers in the 2003-2004 school year. Rep. Richard Nass, R-Acton, a member of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, said members who want to gut the computer fund need to investigate the contract's escape clause first. King said it would cost the state as much to try and void the contract as to finish implementing it. "To kill a program that shows such incredible promise in nine Maine schools - it's impossible to exaggerate how shortsighted it would be," he said. Rep. William Schneider, the Republican House whip from Durham, said the governor's proposed $10 million cut in general purpose aid to education has the potential to affect more people than cutting the laptop fund. The state would apply $2 million in debt service funds to the proposed cut, and accomplish the remaining $8 million reduction through the school funding formula. Schneider said most communities have already held their school district meetings and approved their budgets, and may have to hold special meetings to decide how to make up for lost aid. "They can either cut back on the school district budgets by that much, or they can shift the burden to property taxpayers," he said. "That's the situation that's going to affect people throughout the state." The state is expected to release numbers today for each district's new disbursement amount. Rep. Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, estimated the city would lose between $200,000 and $500,000. "These school budget seasons have been extremely difficult on everyone. When you finally come to an agreement and . . . then you have to reopen those wounds, it's just really hard on a community," he said. Sen. Beverly Daggett of Augusta, the Democratic majority leader, said she is concerned about a $600,000 cut in nursing home funding, which translates to $1.8 million with federal matching funds. King's shortfall plan also relies on about $4 million in savings realized by three furlough days for state employees, which he said could prevent 100 layoffs. Carol Leinonen, executive director for the Maine State Employees Asssociation, said the decision will affect 13,000 employees. "There are 1,000 fewer employees than a few years ago. Everyone's been asked to pick up more and more, and their reward for that is to lose a couple of days' pay, to be shut out of work, and to be locked out of work for three days," he said. Staff Writer Grace Murphy can be contacted at 282-8228 or at:
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