Wisconsin
Related: About this forumGOP proposals would limit Wisconsin school districts' ability to raise revenue
Here we have state government telling local government what they can or can not do with their schools. Big Government Republicans--damn them@
Madison.com Politics ?@MadPolitics 10h10 hours ago
GOP proposals would limit Wisconsin school districts' ability to raise revenue http://host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/gop-proposals-would-limit-wisconsin-school-districts-ability-to-raise/article_01dfd1b8-e594-50d8-83b7-5b1d840ef632.html
GOP proposals would limit Wisconsin school districts' ability to raise revenue
MOLLY BECK mbeck@madison.com, 608-252-6135 9 hrs ago 66
Republican state lawmakers are seeking to restrict when and how local school districts can raise money from their local taxpayers at a time when the state is offering few new dollars for public schools.
Legislators proposing the bills say the moves are designed to lower property taxes, keep voters from being worn down by multiple referendum campaigns and prevent special elections when turnout is low.
But critics say the measures are another example of GOP lawmakers making it harder for public schools to pay the rising costs of educating the states 870,000 public school students and could hurt school boards ability to ensure cash flow.
The bills come during an uptick in referendums 206 in 2014, the most in at least 10 years, state records show and the rate at which they pass. One in four in recent years were held outside of the traditional spring or fall elections, according to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
In April, 76 percent of the referendums to exceed revenue limits passed. That compares to a typical rate of about 50 percent in years prior. This represents a changing perception of the states support of public schools, said Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance.
This reflects a shift in public opinion due, I think, to tighter state-imposed restraint on aids and revenue limits in recent years, Berry said. There is one instance above all when locals will vote to tax themselves: a fear that they might lose their communitys or neighborhoods school.
One bill yet to be introduced but available in draft form would require school boards to ask voters to approve referendums only during the traditional spring or fall elections, and prohibit school boards from going back to voters for two years after a referendum is rejected.
Currently, school boards can hold special elections for referendums and can go back to voters during the next scheduled election if a question fails.
Another bill bans school boards from exceeding their state-imposed revenue limits in order to pay for energy-efficiency projects an exception to levy limits that lawmakers created in 2009.
..................
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)in Wisconsin,business and their buildings and inventories are taxable. When a Village does their annual budgets,they leverage valuations in order to sell bonds for operating purposes and the same goes for the Local School Districts. Watch the State go down the Rat Hole big time. Johnny Menard,Tim Mill's and their Hedge Fund Pals are the winners,and all of the rest eat cake and so it goes.
ladym55
(2,577 posts)It seems like almost daily something awful happens via the state legislature, and the people of the state lose out yet again. All of the things that made Wisconsin special are being stripped away: transparency in government, quality public education at all levels, rights of workers, and environmental protections are gone.
I worry now that with 8 years of damage from Scottie and all his buddies the state won't be able to recover. The damage will go too deep.
yourout
(7,524 posts)then I could stilll have fond memories of what used to be.
It's way past the point of being embarrassing on a national level.
HelenWheels
(2,284 posts)Please think of Wisconsin before you vote for any Republicans or your state can end up like Wisconsin.
ladym55
(2,577 posts)So I live in the state dominated by John Kasich and his merry band of thugs. I know clearly what damage can be done by Republicans. As bad as Kasich has made Ohio, Scotty has done 10 times worse in Wisconsin. Given Wisconsin's proud progressive history, the news is just devastating over and over.
Wish us luck here--we have a state issue on the ballot that would limit the amount of ridiculous gerrymandering that has been occurring to give the Rethuglicans a super majority in the statehouse to limit transparency, workers' rights, public education, and women's access to reproductive health services.
Goblinmonger
(22,340 posts)That program is going to essentially be gutted and workers will have little to no recourse when injured at work.
dragonlady
(3,577 posts)We must stop them before they vote to tax themselves and preserve their schools!
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Still In Wisconsin
(4,450 posts)It's great how they are so consistent in supporting local control.