AUGUSTA – Both concern and confidence are rising from Question 1 backers after Gov. John Baldacci said schools will get more state money over time.

The statewide referendum passed Tuesday mandates that Maine pay more of education costs with the hope of lowering local property taxes.

“Even though people voted for it and people wanted it, what we have now is like 1B light,” said John Nutting of Leeds, who on Tuesday won his state Senate District 17 primary race. “People want property tax relief now, not later,” he said.

Nutting was referring to a referendum question on last November’s ballot offered by Baldacci as an alternative to Question 1A, which became Question 1 on Tuesday’s ballot.

Rob Walker of the Maine Education Association agreed. The governor seems to be taking the stance of “I lost, but I’m still going to get my way,” Walker said. “One concern I have is that the voice of the voters will be ignored.”

Because there was no funding language tied to Question 1, the Maine Constitution states that lawmakers have next year to come up with the money, Baldacci said, adding that referendum backers are with him that the additional $250 million for education can’t be done all at once. Those backers are the Maine Municipal Association and Walker’s MEA.

On Thursday those backers offered mixed reviews on whether they’re with Baldacci that implementation must happen over time.

“This is the first time I’ve heard this has to be slowed down,” Walker said. He said he was hoping the governor would call lawmakers back to session this summer and find a way to implement the referendum.

As far as joining Baldacci for negotiation talks, it won’t be immediate, Walker said. That will happen “this summer, but it’s not on the top of our list. We’re willing to work with the governor, but we’re not 100 percent where he is,” Walker said. “This is no longer our issue. Thousands of people voted for this” with the expectation that the $250 million for education and tax relief would happen soon, Walker said.

The other Question 1 backer, MMA, said it was not concerned that voters are being ignored. The MMA knows the state does not have $250 million, “and we don’t want to throw the state into a fiscal chaos,” said Mike Starn. Legislators elected this November will decide next year how to find more money for property tax relief.

Tuesday’s vote has given the topic more clout. It’s “a strong political statement. Now it’s not just the MMA and the MEA. Something will be done next year,” Starn said. “The citizen initiative will have an impact.”

Meanwhile, in November voters will separate the Palesky 1 percent tax cap proposal from the Question 1 just passed, the MMA and MEA predicted, hopefully understanding that passage would devastate communities.

Nutting disagreed. To have any chance of defeating Palesky, “the governor’s office is going to have to do more than tell people property tax relief is going to happen,” he said.

[email protected]