School funding reform update

Governor Blagojevich’s controversial proposed business tax increase is heating things up in Springfield this week.  House Speaker Michael Madigan is planning a special hearing on the issues, and both Democrats and Republicans are starting to denounce it.  (Tribune coverage, Sun Times coverage)

The Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) increase was proposed as a solution to Illinois’ school funding crisis.  (For more background on the funding crisis and the GRT, this TEN blog post links to a whole series of Tribune editorials that outline the situation.)

A fascinating twist on the action in the last few days: according to the Tribune,

While rally organizers said they talked to Blagojevich and several legislators about addressing the crowd, plans to invite any politicians were scrapped when it became clear that not all education groups supported the governor’s tax plan, said Jim Reed, a lobbyist for the Illinois Education Association.

None of the rally’s speakers spoke in favor of the governor’s tax plan. Instead, they simply asked lawmakers to step up and solve a school “funding crisis.”

Whether or not they came out in favor of the GRT increase, the failure of the education community to rally around something--anything--specific, seems like a missed opportunity, doesn’t it?

(photo from the Tribune: King College Prep students rally in Springfield)

UPDATE 5/31/07: A new poll shows a majority of Illinois residents would support a “tax swap,” where income and sales taxes are increased to provide more money for schools, while property taxes are decreased slightly.  The governor, having pledged not to raise taxes, opposes the tax swap plan.

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