In a recent column (May 23), Bonnie Washuk praised Scarborough Rep. Darlene Curley, one of the 17 legislators who voted against legislation increasing the state’s share of retired teachers’ health insurance (L.D. 758), for having cast an “honest” vote.

According to Washuk, the 123 representatives voting in favor of that increase did so cynically in order to be re-elected, knowing that many unfunded bills pass both the House and the Senate, only to die in the Appropriations Committee.

Actually, in this case, the representatives who voted for L.D. 758 reaffirmed a commitment the Legislature seemed to make in 1987, when it voted to increase the state’s share of retired teachers’ health insurance 5 percent a year until it reached parity with the 100 percent paid for other retired state employees. Because of budget constraints, most years that commitment has not been met.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kevin Glynn, R-South Portland, and supported by many fiscally conservative representatives, including Rep. H. Sawin Millett, R-Waterford, and Rep. Thomas Shields, R-Auburn, along with all other representatives from Lewiston and Auburn.

In spite of the bill’s widespread support, Washuk singled out Rep. Margaret Craven from those 123 and wondered, ” what grade teachers would give for that vote.” As a retired teacher, I can answer that. I would give Rep. Craven and the other 122 representatives an A-plus for reaffirming the state’s commitment to move toward equity within the state retirement system. As for Washuk’s column, let’s just say that I wouldn’t be posting it on my bulletin board.

Robert Tymoczko, Lewiston

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