From the Minneapolis Star Trib
Bid to let schools renew taxes without a vote sinks K-12 bill
Last update: May 17, 2010 – 1:51 AM
The Minnesota House voted Sunday to give school boards the power to renew expiring property tax hikes without voter approval, but the Senate balked at the idea.
The provision was included in a large K-12 education bill and defended by DFLer supporters as needed to counter a shortfall in state funding. Opponents said the proposal would deny voters the ability to renew a property tax increase previously approved by referendum.
The House passed the larger bill, 77 to 53. The Senate, however, voted 38 to 24 to send the bill back to a conference committee after some members said it would probably be vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. As this edition went to press, the bill technically was still alive, as backers had a few hours remaining to try to get through a revised version.
Pawlenty opposes the K-12 measure and its property tax provision. “It’s important that citizens keep their right to vote on school district operating levies,” said Pawlenty spokesman Brian McClung.
Under the measure, school boards would be limited to renewing only the same per-pupil funding provided by a referendum for the same length of time. Boards would need to hold public hearings before renewing a tax increase. The power to renew would expire in 2016.
Supporters noted that cities and counties have the power to hike taxes without referendums.
Rep. Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville, sponsor of the measure, said there were “worthy arguments” against the provision, but said it was needed until the state can provide more aid to school districts.
“When we do not do our duty statewide to fund our schools, we have to look for stopgap measures,” said Rep. Brita Sailer, DFL-Park Rapids.
But Rep. Sandra Masin, DFL-Eagan, said, “I am not going to go home and tell my constituents that I took away their right to vote.”
“Who better to decide if that district survives than the voters of that district?” asked Rep. Paul Anderson, R-Starbuck, who called the provision “a break of trust with voters.”
The bill also lacked an alternative teacher licensure program that Republicans sought.
Pat Doyle • 651-222-1210
