Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

GOP defends LePage

By Rebekah Metzler rmetzler@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media State House Writer

AUGUSTA -- Republican state lawmakers staged a news conference Thursday to rebut claims that Republican gubernatorial nominee Paul LePage would refuse federal education dollars if elected to the Blaine House.

The assertion was made by his Democratic rival, Libby Mitchell, in recent television advertisements, citing an interview LePage gave earlier in the campaign season.

"Paul will make sure our teachers, kids and classrooms will have the resources they need for success," said Sen. Carol Weston, R-Montville, who serves on the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. "For four decades, Libby Mitchell and the unions have been the face of education. Paul LePage will finally make our kids, our students, the face of education in Maine."

The Mitchell advertisement references an interview of LePage by Jarrod Le Blanc, who produces an online news program called "Maine Web News."

During the August interview, LePage said Maine should not receive more federal funding than residents pay in federal taxes.

However, in the Mitchell ad, an ominous voice intones, "Paul LePage says he will reject $180 million in federal funding for our schools."

It then claims that loss of funding would result in overcrowded classrooms, school closings and the elimination of sports and music programs.

Dan Demeritt, spokesman for the LePage campaign, said LePage was speaking philosophically in the interview with Le Blanc. LePage would turn away federal funds only if they come with dubious federal mandates, he said.

Mary-Anne Beal, a Waterville City Council member, said per-pupil spending has increased in Waterville under LePage.

"He's increased spending per student by 30 percent since he's been mayor," said Beal, who added she was a Democrat who recently enrolled as an independent because of false attacks made on LePage. "Under Mayor LePage's leadership, we've provided strong support for academic programs and extracurricular activities. Not a single program has been cut."

Weston said LePage favors reforms such as charter schools and merit pay for teachers that Mitchell and teachers' unions oppose.

"Paul is committed to education reforms that put our kids first," she said. "He's guided by a firm set of principles that will create an educational system that works for our kids and not the unions."

David Loughran, spokesman for the Mitchell campaign, said LePage was merely changing his tune because he was slipping in recent polls.

"I think this is an attempt to change his position on an issue that he clearly said that education should be left to the states, that the Department of Education should be shut down; and if he advocates those positions, the state would lose $180 million in funding," he said. "He said that education should be left up to the state, and this is in the context of saying Maine should only get back the federal dollars that we pay in."

Loughran said Mitchell has worked on behalf of students and improving education throughout her career as both a politician and teacher.

"She led the effort to make Maine the first state in the country to invest in Head Start. She's more than doubled the amount of money that goes into scholarships for Maine graduates," he said. "Anyone who says she's not a champion for Maine kids and Maine's education system is not being upfront."

Rebekah Metzler -- 620-7016

rmetzler@mainetoday.com