Got this from Brent Siegrist newsletter: NOW IS THE TIME TO PUSH YOUR STAFF AND COMMUNITY TO CONTACT THE LEGISLATOR'S ABOUT 1% SALES TAX!
Remember even if your district has it already in the long run it means around $700 per pupil which probably means more money for your districts. ------------------------------------------ >From Brent: Local Option Debate Heating Up One of the hottest issues on the plate of the Iowa Legislature this year isn't the state budget, it's how to help local school districts address their building needs. Ever since the local option sales tax for school infrastructure was approved by lawmakers, it has created a firestorm of controversy between larger communities and smaller towns. Especially now with Des Moines assessing an additional penny sales tax on purchases, rural areas are crying foul saying that the rich are getting richer and the small districts are getting the shaft. "I'm torn somewhat," said Speaker Siegrist. "I'm not someone who believes in raising taxes. At the same time, I'm hearing from people all over the state that they want the local option sales tax for schools expanded statewide. The issue has merit. Smaller school districts have needs far beyond the capabilities of the state to pay for them right now, even beyond the $50 million we approved a couple of years ago to help schools address their building needs. And, as the program is set up now, the funds can only be used for the costs associated with buildings and maintenance. When schools are faced with shortfalls that mean teacher layoffs and fewer academic benefits for the kids, how do you address that? It is a major dilemma, one all of us in the legislature are struggling to get a handle on. "I've asked a couple of Representatives to begin polling our members to see what the pulse of the House is on this issue. I expect it will be a House divided. Given this is an election year, the political reality is that raising taxes is something a lot of people would rather not do, even if it is the right thing to do. It is something where both sides of the political aisle will have to support it in order to make it happen. It is something where Governor Vilsack is going to have to give the issue some public support to seal the deal if the legislation is to have a chance of passage. I can't say today where the Iowa Legislature will land on this issue, but I can say it's on the forefront of our minds." --------------------------------- Email your local reps and brent at [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Thanks, Jon W. Hueser Comp/Tech. Coord. East Greene Comm. Schools 405 12th Str. South Box 377 Grand Junction, IA 50107 Phone: 515-738-2411 ext. 241 Fax: 515-738-5719 Pager: 800-365-7789 #220268 email pager: [EMAIL PROTECTED] email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.east-greene.k12.ia.us -- --------------------------------------------------------- Archived messages from this list can be found at: http://www.mail-archive.com/tech-cord@aea5.k12.ia.us/ ---------------------------------------------------------
