Can you spell T-A-X Increase? Obviously the backers of the new “Get it Right” campaign can’t because there is no T-A-X hike in the proposed state initiative. But read it and make sure you read well between the lines.
The proposed amendment, which would be Section 2a of Article VI of the Ohio Constitution, states that “Each Public School Pupil has a fundamental right to the opportunity for a High Quality Public Education. Such right shall be guaranteed by the state, as provided in this amendment, for all Public School Pupils, regardless of school district property values, income levels or other demographic or geographic factors.” This would create a court-enforceable mandate to justify the rest of the amendment “? which includes a half-page of definitions and three pages of provisions that can be boiled down to this: The state school board is to determine how much money the schools need each year, and the Legislature has to provide it. Period.
The term was equitable. Now its “High Quality” public expense. Translate that as “Expensive” public education. Funding has gone from about $3,000 per student and this could easily push the mark to $10,000 per student. Expensive education has continued to do poorly and the the elite think more money (translation: more of your money ie. T-A-X) will help them to spend more for their lower results. The initiative gives very few if any details and mandates the T-A-X payer pony up for the expenses. There will not be a prayer for the T-A-X payer.
It’s essentially a blank check. And that’s really what these people have been after all along.
Even some analysis by other sites have gotten it. But read the last part of this comment.
The plan would pay for public education through a combination of state and local money, shifting much of the burden for schools from property owners to the state.
Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman, who contributed to the plan along with other big-city mayors, said he thinks the proposal needs further debate and has asked sponsors to delay it.
“The public has the right to know the cost associated with it,” he said.
“We can’t really have a situation that could be perceived as a blank check.”
Yes. We want an initiative that is a blank check but so long as it’s not perceived as such. Lots of Laughs. The State won’t be allowed to reduce funding to other areas of Government so where will the money come from??? T-A-X increases! Like Ohio needs this and send the Ohio economy into the tank.
Its chances are slim and we hope it remains that way.
It appears the idea is stumbling right out of the gate. The Plain Dealer calls it a “doomed ballot issue,” “a plan without a price tag” and a “self-defeating stunt.”
While the problem isn’t going to be fixed soon one thing is for sure. Raising our tax burden isn’t going to resolve the problem but rather deepen it.
Tags: Ohio
