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An Act To Increase State Funding of Public Education
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, ¶A,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §32 and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is further amended to read:
 
A.  The level of the state share of funding attributable to the cost of the components of essential programs and services must be at least 50% of eligible state and local General Fund education costs statewide, no later than fiscal year 2006-07; and
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, ¶B,  as amended by PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §32 and affected by §§72 and 74 and c. 12, Pt. WW, §18, is further amended to read:
 
B.  By fiscal year 2008-09 the state share of the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12, as described by essential programs and services, must be 55%. Beginning in fiscal year 2005-06 and in each fiscal year until fiscal year 2008-09, the state share of essential programs and services described costs must increase toward the 55% level required in fiscal year 2008-09.; and
Sec. 3. 20-A MRSA §15671, sub-§1, ¶C  is enacted to read:
 
C.   By fiscal year 2009-10 the state share of the total cost of funding public education from kindergarten to grade 12, as described by essential programs and services, must be 60%.
 
SUMMARY
This bill increases the state share of the cost of funding public education to 60% beginning with fiscal year 2009-10.