Work by Matthew Stone

Oct. 15, 2009

AUGUSTA — The campaign fighting to uphold Maine's school district consolidation law has a 28-to-1 cash advantage over those who would repeal the state mandate.

Maine People for Improved School Education, the political action committee defending the school consolidation law, raised $231,000 from July 6 to Sept. 30.

The political action committee's opponent, the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, raised $6,300 during the same period, boosting its fundraising total to $8,300 for the year.

The figures are listed in a quarterly campaign finance report filed with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, the last day for submitting the information.

At stake is a 2007 law that attempted to merge Maine's 290 school districts into 80 in an effort to save on school administrative costs.

The law has encountered resistance and fallen short of its objectives, resulting in 218 school districts. On Nov. 3, voters will have the opportunity to overturn the statute. A "yes" vote on Question 3 would repeal the law; a "no" vote would keep it on the books.

Of the 20 contributors to the No on 3 campaign, 16 were businesses. Donations ranged in size from $1,000 to $25,000, with 78 percent of the money from Maine addresses.

"These are businesses and individuals who recognize how important a well-educated work force is to the state of Maine and to the future of the state," said Newell Augur, the No on 3 campaign manager. "They recognize how damaging (a repeal of consolidation) will be to our education system and our ability to educate our kids to compete and be effective contributors to the work force."

Skip Greenlaw, the Maine Coalition to Save Schools chairman, said Tuesday that repeal advocates are running a grassroots campaign that doesn't depend on raising much money.

"The only thing we've been able to raise money for is bumper stickers," he said. "I have not been able to access any large amounts of money."

Fundraising on the pro-consolidation side included $25,000 gifts from L.L. Bean, Chicago-based U.S. Cellular, Poland Spring owner Nestlé Water North America, and the Maine Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association — an Augusta group that funded much of Augur's last campaign, the successful fight last year to overturn a beverage tax.

Other contributions included a $10,000 gift from Robert Monks, a Portland developer and MaineToday Media investor and board member. MaineToday Media is the owner of the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel newspapers.

In addition, the finance report lists a $2,500 donation from Bernard Osher, a prominent California philanthropist and Biddeford native.

The Maine State Chamber of Commerce offered an in-kind contribution of $10,000, the value of Chamber President Dana Connors' time spent on the No on 3 campaign as the group's spokesman.

"It's the political base of the governor's," Greenlaw said of donors to the pro-consolidation effort. "I don't know why these folks would donate so much money to a campaign about the school consolidation law unless they were being asked by the governor."

Greenlaw's group says the consolidation law has led to no cost savings and has unfairly targeted small, rural and poor school districts.

Joy Leach, a spokeswoman for Baldacci, said the governor has made fundraising appeals on behalf of the No on 3 campaign.

"He is trying to be helpful," Leach said. "He really is pleased that so many businesses are concerned about the future of education in Maine."

Baldacci has also begun campaigning for a "no" vote on Question 3 through the Maine Democratic Party. The party on Wednesday e-mailed supporters a plea from the governor to vote "no."

Maine People for Improved School Education spent nearly $70,000 of the money it raised between July and September. Much of it, $14,000, went to Augur's Hallowell lobbying firm. The campaign paid another $32,000 to the Potholm Group, a Harpswell firm, for polling and campaign consulting services.

Augur said the polling took place in June and July, and that no polling has taken place since then.

The No on 3 campaign also paid $20,000 to the Shamrock Group, a Belgrade Lakes firm, for fundraising help. The Shamrock Group was founded by Stephanie Hart, who served as finance director for Baldacci's re-election campaign in 2006.

The financial figures come at a time when the campaign over Question 3 is heating up.

Tonight, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network will feature a televised debate on the issue.

The No on 3 campaign has also begun running television advertisements, Augur said. In addition, Green Independent Party gubernatorial candidate Lynne Williams has filmed an ad urging a "yes" vote on Question 3.

Matthew Stone — 623-3811, ext. 435
mstone@centralmaine.com