[Winona Online Democracy]
Just to change the subject for a few minutes. My grandfather always used to say that you have to be careful what you ask for, because you might get it. I think this applies when looking at school funding in Minnesota. The 2001 legislature spent considerable dollars taking over basic funding for schools in Minnesota. The money did not go into providing schools more money--it provided property tax relief. The Winona district, like the other two districts in Winona County, passed a referendum to provide additional funding. I see in today's Minneapolis paper that all state agencies have been ordered to come up with budget cuts averaging between 5 and 10% because the state's income and sales tax collections are substantially less, up to $1 billion depending on who is making the estimates, than were the projections. Included in this memo was that K-12 education should be looking at cuts as well. In the past, a preferred taxing system was spread out among property, sales and income taxes. Sales and income taxes are more based on an ability to pay; property taxes are more steady since the economy does not influence them as much. Wouldn't it be just wonderful(sarcasm) if our schools still have to cut programs even after the voters pass a referendum? Steve Hacken --------------- This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy Please visit http://onlinedemocracy.winona.org to subscribe or unsubscribe All messages sent to the list must be signed with your actual name. Posting of commercial soliticitations is not allowed on this list. Report problems or questions to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
