To the editor:
As someone who can’t stomach all the negativity in politics these days, I was disappointed to see the Star Herald print a pair of nasty letters targeting our own state Rep. Trey Stewart. But rather than respond to the mountains of misinformation in those letters, I would rather spend my time telling why I’m proud to have Rep. Trey Stewart representing me in Augusta.
Trey Stewart supported $162 million in additional public education funding, including more than $1 million for SAD 1 without hurting our local small businesses with a crushing 3 percent tax hike that likely would have driven many of them under.
The concerns voiced by Maine’s business community were very real. Had the disastrous 3 percent surcharge been implemented, it would have caused layoffs, price increases that would have devastated Mainers living on fixed incomes and some businesses would have been forced to close their doors and move out of state. As a member of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, Rep. Stewart was instrumental in striking the right balance between providing more funding for our schools while not doing it on the backs of our small businesses who are the lifeblood of our economy. He also made sure that the additional public education funding was targeted where it is needed most; in the classroom and to our teachers.
Rep. Stewart also fought hard for more funding in higher education, supported both higher education bonds, and the system’s approval of the first Master’s degree offered by UMPI.
During the toughest of times, I sleep well knowing that Rep.Trey Stewart is my voice in Augusta. On Nov. 6, I’ll be proud to once again cast my vote for our representative, Trey Stewart, a proven leader for the people of Presque Isle.
Penny McHatten
Presque Isle
