June 8 we decide our future. A yes vote prioritizes education and property tax relief

Since 1984, state law required the Legislature to pay 55 percent of education costs. The Legislature ignores this law.

Each of my four years I tried to amend the budget to fund education, twice sponsored by me, but it never passed. Why? Politicians know all they have to do is say they support education. They don’t have to do it, just pay lip service.

Since 1994, state spending has more than doubled, but education has never been a priority. Once in power, politicians realize it’s more fun to make new programs with tax dollars than to pay bills.

A no vote will assure this issue gets ignored another 20 years.

During the last session, the Legislature left us with no tax reform or property tax relief. Don’t give them the mandate they need to continue doing nothing.

Our City Council committed to pass the savings on. Unlike the state, we haven’t raised taxes in two years, and we balance our budget. Lewiston taxpayers pay less in real dollars than in 1997. Both state (Democrat controlled) and federal (Republican controlled) governments have increased spending at three to five times the rate of local government.

Supporters of “no” say elderly rarely lose their homes due to back taxes. That’s because banks foreclose due to tax liens before towns have to. Politicians spin and elderly suffer.

Please vote “yes” on Question 1 for better schools and lower property taxes.

Stavros J. Mendros, Lewiston