Editor:

    My wife and I have lived in Cape Elizabeth for 20
years and we currently have two children in the Cape Elizabeth school
system. We are devoted to excellence in education for our children, yet
we understand that Maine is one of the poorest State’s in the Nation.
Common sense tells us that if Maine’s economy is struggling, education
in Maine is struggling too.

    LD1 was a start, but more must be done to ensure
sufficient funding for Maine’s educational system. The long-term answer
to education funding in Maine is economic recovery, not higher taxes,
especially in a time of flat to declining enrollments. 

    The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is designed to gradually
lower taxes in Maine, which will help to create jobs and strengthen
Maine’s economy. Our two oldest children, graduates of the Cape
Elizabeth school system, and many of their friends work out of state
because there aren’t enough good paying jobs in Maine. Although TABOR
is not a perfect solution, the underlying strategy is solid.

    On Nov. 7, when we vote in favor of the Taxpayer
Bill of Rights we believe we will also be voting for future excellence
in education and good jobs for our children. We will also vote in favor
of Jennifer Duddy, because regardless whether TABOR passes, Duddy will
hold the line on spending and taxes and work to improve Maine’s
economy, which will be good for education and jobs.

Tim and Nancy Thompson

Cape Elizabeth