SALEM -– Members of the MSAD #58 school board voted in favor of supporting Question 3 at their last school board meeting. The referendum question will ask voters to decide if they want to repeal the consolidation law that was passed by lawmakers in 2007.

MSAD #58 Superintendent Quenten Clark says if the question is defeated, his district could be looking at being penalized next year by a loss of $130,000 in state revenue. And this subsidy loss can occur each and every budget cycle.

Governor John E. Baldacci, who initiated the bill, has been campaigning hard to see the people’s referendum defeated.

The campaign to defeat the question is led by Maine State Chamber of Commerce president Dana Connors who has been actively fundraising. As of last Friday the group has raised $340,000 to use for lobbying, advertising and other political effort.

Reports suggest that proponents of the question have raised under $10,000.

The largest contributions, $25,000 each, are reported on a list generated by the Maine Ethics Commission. The in-state and often out-of-state corporations are saying they’d like to support this effort to defeat the question and/or maintain the law, Clark explained.

Large contributions are reported from LL Bean, TD BankNorth, Unum Group, Maine Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, U.S. Cellular and Nestlé Waters North America.

“What I would really like to know is what is the interest level for these companies and why would they want to take a position to make sure that the penalty stays intact,” Clark asked. “What good can it do for them and why would they take a position? What gain is there by contributing $25,000?”

Clark said that there are over 100 communities facing penalties next year. The penalty was supposed to be enforced this budget cycle, but lawmakers postponed the action for one year.

Last Friday, Clark said he was seeking answers to these questions, and called the Poland Spring / Nestlé Waters bottling plant in Kingfield for an explanation.”

“Nobody knew of the contribution, nor could they find anyone in the State of Maine who took responsibility for the donation,” Clark explained.

The superintendent was further baffled why an out-ofstate corporation would invest in such a political battle which could separate people in voting within this state.

“How can they gain from this,” Clark asked and referenced withdrawing money from local bank accounts and switching banks as an example.

Corporate representatives were unavailable as of press deadline.

Question 3 will be before the voters on the Nov. 3 ballot.