Gov. Baldacci said “The people have spoken and I’ve heard them clearly.” He should have continued by saying: “But I’m going to do whatever I want anyway.”

Phasing in the 55 percent school funding is saying exactly that. We should all be hearing that clearly.

If voters had wanted the funding phased in, they would have voted no on Question 1. That would have left us with the governor’s plan. Question 1 may not be a good idea, but it is what the majority voted for.

Phasing in the funding will all but guarantee that the “extra” money won’t go to property tax relief. If we had seen a substantial increase in the state share of school funding, we could have demanded that the school administrative districts lower their assessments to the towns, and that the towns adjust the mill rates accordingly. By using a phased in approach, the small yearly change will undoubtedly be absorbed with no tax relief.

We’re told there’s no money to do what we, the voters, want. However, the governor hasn’t scrapped his Dirigo health care plan, something we didn’t get a chance to vote for or against. Dirigo will undoubtedly cost much more than Question 1.

It’s no wonder voters are apathetic. Given the governor’s attitude, why should we bother to vote on current issues? Apparently the next time votes will count is when we get a chance to throw the bums out.

He should really hear that.

Keith Farrington, Andover

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