As the
legislature works through the final week before the scheduled adjournment,
significant issues are being considered in both the Senate and House of
Representatives. On Monday, the House approved SJRCA 1 which proposes to
amend the State Constitution to allow for graduated income tax rates. The
question will now go to the voters at the November 2020 election.
The
accompanying bill (SB 687) that contains the new income tax rates has
yet to be called for a vote on the House floor. It seems that another bill in
the Senate tax package, SB 690, has stalled in the House for now. SB 690
would place all school districts under the Property Tax Extension Limitation
Law (PTELL). The House, however, put its spin on the property tax relief issue
by amending two bills. SB 39 would establish a property tax relief fund
in the State treasury to be used to issue property tax rebates to taxpayers. It
would not affect or expand PTELL. SB 1932 would establish the Property
Tax Relief Task Force that will make recommendations for short-term and
long-term property tax relief for homeowners. Its report will be due 90 days
after the law is enacted. Both bills are pending on the House floor.
Leadership,
sponsors, and stakeholders continue to meet to find agreeable language for
bills on expanded gaming, legalization of recreational marijuana, and a capital
projects package. Hot button issues such as firearm ownership and abortion
rights are being considered this week as well.
FAFSA
BILL CLEARS SENATE
HB 2719, which would require each high school student to complete
the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a prerequisite to
receive a graduation diploma, was approved by the Senate Tuesday. The bill was
sent to the House for consideration.
School board members are urged
to contact their State Representatives and ask them to vote "No" on
HB 2719. IASB drafted an amendment that was given to the sponsor and proponents
in the Senate, but it was not considered. The bill has yet to be assigned to a
House committee for a hearing, but it can happen with just a one hour posting
notice. Once the bill is scheduled for a House committee hearing, school board
members are urged to file a witness slip
in opposition to the bill.
YET ANOTHER VERSION OF SCHOOL
CONSOLIDATION BILL
The Senate sponsor of the School District Efficiency
Commission legislation, HB 3053, filed another amendment to the bill
this week. The bill, as introduced, calls for the Commission to establish its
criteria for why schools should consolidate and arbitrarily reduce the number
of school districts by 25%. The amendment makes very slight changes to the
original bill and the IASB is still strongly opposed. It would not allow the
Commission to recommend the consolidation of "individual schools",
but still requires the Commission to reduce the number of school districts by
25% by establishing criteria defining school districts and requiring referenda
to be placed on the ballot around the State.
The amendment was assigned to
a sub-committee and was not called for a vote.