Post by wvhsparent on Nov 30, 2006 10:20:12 GMT -6
State's school funding overhaul
Lawmakers seek new approach this spring
By John Patterson
Daily Herald State Government Editor
Posted Thursday, November 30, 2006
SPRINGFIELD — Saying no option will be ignored, a group of state lawmakers on Wednesday said they expect to offer up this spring a comprehensive and viable plan to overhaul how the state funds education.
“I think it’s time to put the rhetoric aside … and actually get something done,” said state Rep. Roger Eddy, a downstate Hutsonville Republican who’s also the local school superintendent.
History isn’t on their side. Like-minded groups have, for decades, launched similar efforts with much fanfare but ultimately few results.
So why should this one warrant attention?
Political observers noted that for possibly the first time in recent history, the lawmakers involved acknowledged it’s the state’s regional, not political, differences that have thwarted similar efforts.
And that translates into reaching out to suburban lawmakers rather than bashing property-rich suburban schools. Those involved said the debate is too often framed as rich versus poor, a stereotyping that dooms any plan.
“You’ve got the jobs the population and the income all vested in the suburbs,” said state Rep. Jerry Mitchell, a Republican from downstate Sterling and former school superintendent. “We’ve got to come to agreement with what’s going to help the suburbs so we don’t leave them out in the cold. We’ve got to address their special education (funding) needs because that’s what’s driving their problems and downstate it’s the funding formula. So there’s got to be something in it for everybody.”
State Rep. Paul Froehlich, a Schaumburg Republican and former school board member, is part of this effort. His take is that suburban residents aren’t knee-jerk opposed to paying more, but that the key is making sure they get something out of it.
“If people could see they would get their property tax burden alleviated and in return you’d see some increase in some state tax or taxes, and an improvement in education, that’s something I think people are willing to take a look at,” Froehlich said.
Still, the political odds appear stacked against them.
Sizeable increases in the state income or sales taxes are the most likely ways to come up with the billions of dollars needed to significantly boost school funding while providing meaningful property tax relief.
But numerous lawmakers have taken no-tax pledges and even if the General Assembly mustered the votes for a tax hike, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has threatened to veto such increases.
Other recent ideas also have received cool receptions, most notably, Blagojevich’s idea of selling off the state lottery for billions to plug into education, a plan that leaves a huge funding hole a few years down the road.
Other ideas, such as expanding the state’s casino fleet or selling off the tollway, have, to date, also been shunned politically.
But this group of lawmakers said 2007 is the crucial year since no one’s up for election.
“2007 is when it will have to happen,” said Froehlich. “It’s next year or you wait until 2009 or beyond.”
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dailyherald.com
Lawmakers seek new approach this spring
By John Patterson
Daily Herald State Government Editor
Posted Thursday, November 30, 2006
SPRINGFIELD — Saying no option will be ignored, a group of state lawmakers on Wednesday said they expect to offer up this spring a comprehensive and viable plan to overhaul how the state funds education.
“I think it’s time to put the rhetoric aside … and actually get something done,” said state Rep. Roger Eddy, a downstate Hutsonville Republican who’s also the local school superintendent.
History isn’t on their side. Like-minded groups have, for decades, launched similar efforts with much fanfare but ultimately few results.
So why should this one warrant attention?
Political observers noted that for possibly the first time in recent history, the lawmakers involved acknowledged it’s the state’s regional, not political, differences that have thwarted similar efforts.
And that translates into reaching out to suburban lawmakers rather than bashing property-rich suburban schools. Those involved said the debate is too often framed as rich versus poor, a stereotyping that dooms any plan.
“You’ve got the jobs the population and the income all vested in the suburbs,” said state Rep. Jerry Mitchell, a Republican from downstate Sterling and former school superintendent. “We’ve got to come to agreement with what’s going to help the suburbs so we don’t leave them out in the cold. We’ve got to address their special education (funding) needs because that’s what’s driving their problems and downstate it’s the funding formula. So there’s got to be something in it for everybody.”
State Rep. Paul Froehlich, a Schaumburg Republican and former school board member, is part of this effort. His take is that suburban residents aren’t knee-jerk opposed to paying more, but that the key is making sure they get something out of it.
“If people could see they would get their property tax burden alleviated and in return you’d see some increase in some state tax or taxes, and an improvement in education, that’s something I think people are willing to take a look at,” Froehlich said.
Still, the political odds appear stacked against them.
Sizeable increases in the state income or sales taxes are the most likely ways to come up with the billions of dollars needed to significantly boost school funding while providing meaningful property tax relief.
But numerous lawmakers have taken no-tax pledges and even if the General Assembly mustered the votes for a tax hike, Gov. Rod Blagojevich has threatened to veto such increases.
Other recent ideas also have received cool receptions, most notably, Blagojevich’s idea of selling off the state lottery for billions to plug into education, a plan that leaves a huge funding hole a few years down the road.
Other ideas, such as expanding the state’s casino fleet or selling off the tollway, have, to date, also been shunned politically.
But this group of lawmakers said 2007 is the crucial year since no one’s up for election.
“2007 is when it will have to happen,” said Froehlich. “It’s next year or you wait until 2009 or beyond.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dailyherald.com