People in Maine and the Maine Legislature value education, as would businesses that are considering a move to Maine. Mainers need to support a comprehensive educational system that enables all of our students to be prepared for life after they complete their formal education.

In 2003, the state, through a referendum, established a goal of supporting education by funding 55 percent of the cost of public education. The state has not reached that goal; it is time it did. There are ways to accomplish it in this year’s budget. The Legislature could institute the 3 percent surtax on incomes over $200,000, as supported by the Maine voters; or the Legislature could allocate the funds from the state’s revenues and the $150 million surplus that the state presently has.

Supporting a strong educational system for every child in every district is one way to assure a brighter economic future for Maine.

Susan Lea, Poland