In the November balloting, Maine people voted for a 3-percent surcharge on annual taxable incomes of more than $200,000. That issue, Question 2, was brought to the ballot statewide by the teachers union. If the Maine Education Association needs more money, it should take a look at the present system.

I believe that most school systems are overstaffed with administrators. The MEA should undergo a complete reorganization and take a look at Florida’s system to reduce the staff by approximately 40 percent. That would save a few million dollars and help replace needed funds without increasing town taxes.

As of July 4, Question 2 is no more. Lois Kilby-Chesley, MEA president, wants more funds for education. Pay raises are handed out year after year. Those pay raises should be based on the consumer price index, same as with Social Security. Yet, state lawmakers boosted the state’s two-year budget for education by some $162 million.

I believe that any tax surcharge on people with taxable income above $200,000 would cause quite a few people to leave the state.

Richard McInnis, Rumford