An interesting finding: The Maine Municipal Association, in an analysis of school reorganization in its newsletter, the Maine Townsman, found a correlation between distance from Augusta and voter approval of consolidation plans.

The capital’s influence wanes over distance, it seems.

However, the MMA notes, there’s no broad conclusion to draw from this observation. “Too many variables go into the decision,” it said. That doesn’t stop some from trying. On March 1, Rangeley Lakes Superintendent Philip Richardson declared on these pages that the rejection of plans in rural regions is evidence of the law’s inherent ineptitude.

Maybe so. That’s one subjective opinion. More eye-opening is the relationship identified by MMA, which is whether geographic relationship to Augusta dictates support for this policy, especially with Gov. John Baldacci’s strong support for consolidation in the State of the State address.

If this theory is true (and since it’s based only on observations of voting results, it might not be), it hints at growing detachment between Augusta and the corners of the state.

The question is whether this detachment is limited to school consolidation, or will it spark a growing rift that will reach other policies, such as health care, taxes and economic development?

Anecdotal evidence abounds. On wind power, for example, many communities don’t trust the state to protect their interests, even though state expertise is necessary for smaller, rural towns to navigate the complexities of industrial energy projects.

In economic development, failed initiatives in struggling regions like Washington County can strain relations with state agencies and lead to growing disbelief that Augusta understands, or cares about, the needs of Maine’s rural communities.

Casino initiatives are part of this, too. The rejection of the last two proposals, in Calais and Oxford, elicited hard feelings in those regions toward state officials who don’t support gaming.

In health care, struggles with access to services and lagging MaineCare dollars for rural hospitals has also spurred discontent with state actions.

Admittedly, this is much to conclude from one observation. It seems still worth considering, though, that voter reaction to school reorganization could be empirical evidence of a political parting of ways between Augusta and rural Maine.

These tensions have always existed in some form. Yet if this rift grows, it will hurt lawmakers’ and officials’ ability to craft statewide policies. Augusta cannot effectively legislate just for some; it needs to do it for all. A state divided against itself, as it were, cannot stand.

Gov. Baldacci has pledged his support to see consolidation through. Voters from the far reaches of the state have a different opinion, and a repeal measure will go before lawmakers.

Of all the infrastructure projects being considered in the capital, maybe one more is warranted – building a bridge from Augusta to rural Maine.