Post by doctorwho on Apr 4, 2011 11:05:06 GMT -6
Okay- I have been back and forth in correspondence with Dan Rutherford and his staff and others at the state level and now am going to try and involve Darlene Senger as well. I am sick and tired of Illinois Democrats taxing the crap out of Illinois residents - especially whacking the middle class, and feeling they account to no one.
My latest concern has to do with the fact that within our IPSD 204 tax bill is a charge for bussing kids to school--which if my child attended MVHS I would be getting back in spades. However the law reads that outside of 1.5 miles this money gets applied to getting childen to school - public or private. Now the total dollar amount comes to approx $300 per year per parent which may not seem like much, but for 4 years that is $1200 and sorry , but today that is meaningful.
I have no issue with the fact we all have to pay for our public schools as part of a societal responsibility. I may or may not like it, but I understand it. I also understand that bus service cannot always be provided for each and every kid going to school- logistically would be too expensive. BUT, to charge me for transporting my kid in my tax bill, then not provide the service is horse crap.
How many kids within 204 boundaries attend private school- k-12 ? Each one of us parents is paying for bus service we do not receive and the district pockets the money. ( Then in our district they piss it away but that's another story). Paying for something you do not receive is an issue.
If you agree with this, please let Darlene know .. here is my latest correspondence and response.
James,
Thank you for your follow-up on this on Dan Rutherford's behalf it is appreciated. However I will indeed express my concerns to my reps, and am copying Darlene Senger on this response. This is yet another hit on middle class taxpayer in Illinois, who is also being hit hard from every angle in this state's administration. I keep trying to find representatives who are really fighting for the private sector middle class ( non union / non government worker) in Illinois. This is yet another service I now pay for and do not receive, I hardly understand how that is considered right. I am fine with not having the service provided, but then don't charge me for it in my school district's portion of my tax bill. Paying for a district I do not use since my child attends private school I understand from a public education funding standpoint, however the portion I pay for transportation which goes to a 3rd party now becomes additional income for IPSD 204 in my case since no service is provided in return for the funds.
While only a few hundred dollars per parent, in today's economy that is now also significant. But for school districts- multiple this by thousands and thousands across Illinois, and this is much income for zero service provided. It is a tax on nothing which is unique, even for Illinois.
David S. Pavlik
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Crowley, James" <JCrowley@treasurer.state.il.us>
To: xxxxxxxxx
Cc: "Doss, Sheleda" <SDoss@treasurer.state.il.us>
Sent: Mon, April 4, 2011 10:05:32 AM
Subject: State Treasurer Dan Rutherford/reply to e-mail regarding Parent Guardian Transportation
Dear David,
Thank you for expressing to the Treasurer that the elimination of funding for the Parent Guardian Transportation Reimbursement Program means that your household (and other families’ households) now have no means for reimbursement for traveling long distances to transport their child to school. It is understandable that you would want to know whether or not any of the revenues from the recently passed income tax increase would be used to restore funding for this program. Our office has made this inquiry on your behalf.
Although some of the revenue generated from the income tax increase will go towards the funding of education, the Division of Funding and Disbursement Services at the Illinois State Board of Education has stated that there are no plans to reinstate this program. In speaking directly with the Division of Funding and Disbursement Services, they indicated that the Illinois General Assembly mandated them to decrease spending and eliminate programs. This program is one of the programs that will not be targeted by the Illinois State Board of Education to receive funding within its budget.
The Illinois General Assembly, which approves funding for state programs, is currently engaging in budget discussions on how to best utilize its available resources for services the state deems essential. Votes taken by the Illinois General Assembly will determine how the state’s resources will be allocated amongst its services. To this end, I would encourage you to contact your state senator and state representatives and share your desire to have funding for this program re-instated before they vote on a final budget. Their contact information can be obtained on the General Assembly website at www.ilga.gov. It’s critical that constituents like yourself voice your opinions to ensure that state government has the opportunity to work for all Illinois residents.
Please feel free to follow-up with me should you need any further assistance on this issue.
Sincerely,
Sheleda Doss
Legislative Affairs
Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford
219 State Capitol Building
Springfield , IL 62706
217-557-2211 (direct)
My latest concern has to do with the fact that within our IPSD 204 tax bill is a charge for bussing kids to school--which if my child attended MVHS I would be getting back in spades. However the law reads that outside of 1.5 miles this money gets applied to getting childen to school - public or private. Now the total dollar amount comes to approx $300 per year per parent which may not seem like much, but for 4 years that is $1200 and sorry , but today that is meaningful.
I have no issue with the fact we all have to pay for our public schools as part of a societal responsibility. I may or may not like it, but I understand it. I also understand that bus service cannot always be provided for each and every kid going to school- logistically would be too expensive. BUT, to charge me for transporting my kid in my tax bill, then not provide the service is horse crap.
How many kids within 204 boundaries attend private school- k-12 ? Each one of us parents is paying for bus service we do not receive and the district pockets the money. ( Then in our district they piss it away but that's another story). Paying for something you do not receive is an issue.
If you agree with this, please let Darlene know .. here is my latest correspondence and response.
James,
Thank you for your follow-up on this on Dan Rutherford's behalf it is appreciated. However I will indeed express my concerns to my reps, and am copying Darlene Senger on this response. This is yet another hit on middle class taxpayer in Illinois, who is also being hit hard from every angle in this state's administration. I keep trying to find representatives who are really fighting for the private sector middle class ( non union / non government worker) in Illinois. This is yet another service I now pay for and do not receive, I hardly understand how that is considered right. I am fine with not having the service provided, but then don't charge me for it in my school district's portion of my tax bill. Paying for a district I do not use since my child attends private school I understand from a public education funding standpoint, however the portion I pay for transportation which goes to a 3rd party now becomes additional income for IPSD 204 in my case since no service is provided in return for the funds.
While only a few hundred dollars per parent, in today's economy that is now also significant. But for school districts- multiple this by thousands and thousands across Illinois, and this is much income for zero service provided. It is a tax on nothing which is unique, even for Illinois.
David S. Pavlik
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: "Crowley, James" <JCrowley@treasurer.state.il.us>
To: xxxxxxxxx
Cc: "Doss, Sheleda" <SDoss@treasurer.state.il.us>
Sent: Mon, April 4, 2011 10:05:32 AM
Subject: State Treasurer Dan Rutherford/reply to e-mail regarding Parent Guardian Transportation
Dear David,
Thank you for expressing to the Treasurer that the elimination of funding for the Parent Guardian Transportation Reimbursement Program means that your household (and other families’ households) now have no means for reimbursement for traveling long distances to transport their child to school. It is understandable that you would want to know whether or not any of the revenues from the recently passed income tax increase would be used to restore funding for this program. Our office has made this inquiry on your behalf.
Although some of the revenue generated from the income tax increase will go towards the funding of education, the Division of Funding and Disbursement Services at the Illinois State Board of Education has stated that there are no plans to reinstate this program. In speaking directly with the Division of Funding and Disbursement Services, they indicated that the Illinois General Assembly mandated them to decrease spending and eliminate programs. This program is one of the programs that will not be targeted by the Illinois State Board of Education to receive funding within its budget.
The Illinois General Assembly, which approves funding for state programs, is currently engaging in budget discussions on how to best utilize its available resources for services the state deems essential. Votes taken by the Illinois General Assembly will determine how the state’s resources will be allocated amongst its services. To this end, I would encourage you to contact your state senator and state representatives and share your desire to have funding for this program re-instated before they vote on a final budget. Their contact information can be obtained on the General Assembly website at www.ilga.gov. It’s critical that constituents like yourself voice your opinions to ensure that state government has the opportunity to work for all Illinois residents.
Please feel free to follow-up with me should you need any further assistance on this issue.
Sincerely,
Sheleda Doss
Legislative Affairs
Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford
219 State Capitol Building
Springfield , IL 62706
217-557-2211 (direct)
