According to the Sun Journal ad watch (June 1), the state increased education funding from $593 million to $719 million in five years. My math says that’s 20 percent in 5 years, 4 percent annually. That barely meets inflation. It doesn’t cover the increase in health insurance costs. No wonder property taxpayers are pedaling backwards. That’s not a significant increase by anyone’s imagination. The state has reduced its responsibility to schools by 7 percent from a 49 percent share to 42 percent, the same amount that property taxes have risen.

Don’t be fooled. The governor has abdicated his responsibility to education while pulling a bait and switch.

The governor’s anti-Question 1 media blitz is being paid for, once again, by big business and run by the chamber.

This session, the governor tried to give our tax relief to big business by eliminating Homestead and switching it for the elimination of the personal property tax on business equipment. He wanted to provide less tax relief to us. Thankfully, he failed. He had the chance to deliver a good alternative to both referendum questions. MMA was willing to compromise. Many worked hard at solutions. He obstructed their way. He failed to deliver either tax reform or a compromise.

The proposal he’s touting in the chamber-funded ads, he failed to fund! It’s nothing but a pipe dream – another empty promise – intended to defeat Question 1. He’ll leave taxpayers empty-handed and schools closed.

I’m voting yes on Question 1.

Deb Keenan, Portland