DENVER – The Legislature set the stage Monday for a $1 billion tax increase campaign on behalf of public schools.
The House voted along party lines to rewrite the school-finance act – the annual bill that controls school funding – with a new formula that will take effect only if voters pass a tax increase this fall.
The new formula is most beneficial to school districts that can’t afford to pay for better buildings and educational improvements. Several districts with high tax bases, including the natural-gas rich districts in La Plata County, initially opposed the bill, Senate Bill 213. But sponsors changed it to make sure nearly every district would get at least a small funding increase.
Montezuma-Cortez schools would be the biggest winners in Southwest Colorado, with an increase of more than $1,200 per student if voters pass the ballot initiative.
Every Republican in the Legislature voted against it, including all 28 in the House on Monday.
“This bill encourages districts to raise taxes. That’s just the truth,” said Rep. Cheri Gerou, R-Evergreen. “I think we should be doing more to provide leadership than just encouraging districts to spend money.”
Other Republicans called the bill a missed opportunity to reform the way schools educate kids.
But the sponsor, Rep. Millie Hamner, D-Frisco, said her bill is paying for years of unfunded reforms that the Legislature has already enacted with bipartisan majorities, such as new academic standards and teacher evaluations.
There are also reforms in SB 213, such as ways to let parents and voters see what schools are doing with their money, Hamner said.
“There are Republicans who support this. There is business support. It’s disappointing to me that we weren’t able to demonstrate that in either of the chambers,” she said.
The Senate needs to approve of House changes before sending the bill on to Gov. John Hickenlooper.
Education groups have filed two dozen initiatives to raise income taxes for schools. They will pick one this summer and try to get it on the November ballot.
jhanel@durangoherald.com
