| Ohio School Funding Update | |
Our state legislature and governor continue to scramble to meet the guidelines of the historic Ohio Supreme Court decision that Ohio's school funding system is unconstitutional. This decision has become one of national importance, as shown by the following quote from an editorial in the July 25, 1997 Wall Street Journal:
You'd think Republicans would have learned a lesson about not raising taxes from George Bush. Not in Ohio. There Republicans, led by Governor...Voinovich, are poised to enact the largest tax increase in the state's history...despite polls showing the public supports spending cuts over tax increases by three to one.
An overview of the 1997-98 budget shows schools are already getting more money. The Columbus Dispatch reports schools are already receiving a $13.3 billion increase in the new budget.
Meanwhile, a tax increase has been proposed to provide more state school funding. At least lawmakers are talking about including improvements in student performance and financial accountability in their tax increase talk. The House and Senate have been at odds over their differing proposals, with the House barely okaying its school-related bills.
For more information about the school funding issue, visit the following:
May 14, 1997 Update.
April 22, 1998 Update.
