Education Funding
Why has education funding decreased and property taxes increased in the Commonwealth of PA? Why has the Governor and General Assembly abandoned any commitment to a consistent formula for funding basic education?
I have been told that the dilemma concerning property tax reform and finance reform for education does not have a “one size fits all” solution. I strongly disagree.
First, education is a state responsibility, embedded in the Constitution. Second, this responsibility is exercised through a partnership of the state and local school boards. Third, financial responsibility for the system is shared between the General Assembly and the school boards.
Although education is a state function embedded in the Commonwealth’s Constitution, Pennsylvania has a long tradition of local control. Throughout most of the state’s history, local revenues have been the major source of funding for public education.
Real estate taxes are a serious problem. Counties set their own assessment standards, resulting in inconsistent and often unfair assessments of individual properties relative to one another. The property tax burden has increased significantly over the past several years because school districts have had to use property tax as a means for making up for the declining state share of education costs.
Pennsylvania continues to have one of the nations most ineffective and unfair statewide funding systems for elementary and secondary education.
The share of statewide elementary and secondary education costs supported by state appropriations in Pennsylvania is far below the national average and ranks Pennsylvania near the bottom of 50 states. The amount of state funding is several hundred dollars less per student than the national average.
As a result of insufficient state funding, public education in Pennsylvania is more dependent on local taxes, especially property tax, than most states.
Also, as a result of insufficient state funding, public education in Pennsylvania is very dependent on local wealth and Pennsylvania therefore has one of the most inequitable funding systems.
We have been “tuned in” to special sessions of the legislature. The General Assembly is in session throughout the year. It has no authority in special session that it does not have in regular session. Special session is much about public relations and potentially about focused attention. The leaders and members of the General Assembly seem to continue to be unwilling to acknowledge the direct relationship between the state’s low funding for school districts and students and the high property taxes in Pennsylvania.
Our legislators have the opportunity to make history with “meaningful property tax elimination and education finance reform”. Yet, for months they have not been able to come up with, or agree to, any meaningful proposals. Governor Rendell’s gaming revenues will not give the property owners the “total relief” that is needed. We can no longer wait for “future” dollars to appear. We need property tax reform NOW.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania needs to rescind local control and assume total responsibility for funding education.
Call, write, or e-mail…just make sure your voice is heard!
www.nopropertytaxes@yahoo.com for e-mail lists of Representatives and Senators.
Information taken from December 2005, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
I have been told that the dilemma concerning property tax reform and finance reform for education does not have a “one size fits all” solution. I strongly disagree.
First, education is a state responsibility, embedded in the Constitution. Second, this responsibility is exercised through a partnership of the state and local school boards. Third, financial responsibility for the system is shared between the General Assembly and the school boards.
Although education is a state function embedded in the Commonwealth’s Constitution, Pennsylvania has a long tradition of local control. Throughout most of the state’s history, local revenues have been the major source of funding for public education.
Real estate taxes are a serious problem. Counties set their own assessment standards, resulting in inconsistent and often unfair assessments of individual properties relative to one another. The property tax burden has increased significantly over the past several years because school districts have had to use property tax as a means for making up for the declining state share of education costs.
Pennsylvania continues to have one of the nations most ineffective and unfair statewide funding systems for elementary and secondary education.
The share of statewide elementary and secondary education costs supported by state appropriations in Pennsylvania is far below the national average and ranks Pennsylvania near the bottom of 50 states. The amount of state funding is several hundred dollars less per student than the national average.
As a result of insufficient state funding, public education in Pennsylvania is more dependent on local taxes, especially property tax, than most states.
Also, as a result of insufficient state funding, public education in Pennsylvania is very dependent on local wealth and Pennsylvania therefore has one of the most inequitable funding systems.
We have been “tuned in” to special sessions of the legislature. The General Assembly is in session throughout the year. It has no authority in special session that it does not have in regular session. Special session is much about public relations and potentially about focused attention. The leaders and members of the General Assembly seem to continue to be unwilling to acknowledge the direct relationship between the state’s low funding for school districts and students and the high property taxes in Pennsylvania.
Our legislators have the opportunity to make history with “meaningful property tax elimination and education finance reform”. Yet, for months they have not been able to come up with, or agree to, any meaningful proposals. Governor Rendell’s gaming revenues will not give the property owners the “total relief” that is needed. We can no longer wait for “future” dollars to appear. We need property tax reform NOW.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania needs to rescind local control and assume total responsibility for funding education.
Call, write, or e-mail…just make sure your voice is heard!
www.nopropertytaxes@yahoo.com for e-mail lists of Representatives and Senators.
Information taken from December 2005, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
posted by Helen | 11:20 AM
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