Threats to Public Education

Newton Teachers Association

Recommendation from the Massachusetts Teachers Association:

Don't Sign These Petitions!

Don't get caught short-sighted.
See the Big Picture!
TAXES PAY FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION !

This year, three initiative petitions have been filed. If any of these are passed, revenues available to the state and to local governments will be severely reduced, jeopardizing funding for public education at all levels. Three initiatives are presented below.

Ballot Initiatives – Major Threats to Funding for Public Education Impact

One proposal would eliminate the state income tax, which currently brings in $11.4 billion per year. This represents 57 percent of state tax revenues. An identical proposal was on the ballot in 2002 – and while it was defeated, it did receive 45 percent of the vote. $11.4 billion per year could be lost.

A second proposal would prevent a city or town from raising its property tax more than 1 percent a year without seeking voter approval, rather than allowing the current 2.5 percent increase without voter approval. The allowable 2.5 percent tax increase provided cities and towns with approximately $246 million in new tax capacity last year. A reduction to 1 percent would reduce that amount to $170 million a year in fiscal year 2010 and by about $1 billion over five years. $200 million per year could be lost.

A third includes the property tax reduction and also would prevent localities from collecting excise taxes on motor vehicles. The motor vehicle excise tax currently provides cities and towns with about $750 million a year. $750 million per year could be lost.

Where will the money come from to fund our schools? What will happen to class size? How will bombastic cuts affect our students... our children? Don't sign these petitions!

Process

In order to qualify for the ballot, the petitioners must collect at least 67,000 signatures for each initiative. Not more than one-quarter may come from any one county.

The signatures are currently being collected. They must be turned in to local registrars for certification by Nov. 21. The registrar certifies them and sends them to the secretary of state by Dec. 5. Any challenges to the collected signatures must be made by Jan. 4.

The proposals would then be sent to the Legislature. If the Legislature failed to enact the proposals before the first Wednesday in May, the proponents would have to gather 11,099 signatures by the beginning of July. If they are successful, the proposals go on the 2008 general election ballot.

Ballot Initiatives – Major Threats to Funding for Public Education	Impact
One proposal would eliminate the state income tax, which currently brings in $11.4 billion per year.	This represents 57 percent of state tax revenues. An identical proposal was on the ballot in 2002 – and while it was defeated, it did receive 45 percent of the vote. $11.4 billion per year could be lost.
A second proposal would prevent a city or town from raising its property tax more than 1 percent a year without seeking voter approval, rather than allowing the current 2.5 percent increase without voter approval.	The allowable 2.5 percent tax increase provided cities and towns with approximately $246 million in new tax capacity last year. A reduction to 1 percent would reduce that amount to $170 million a year in fiscal year 2010 and by about $1 billion over five years. $200 million per year could be lost.
A third includes the property tax reduction and also would prevent localities from collecting excise taxes on motor vehicles.	The motor vehicle excise tax currently provides cities and towns with about $750 million a year. $750 million per year could be lost.
Where will the money come from to fund our schools? What will happen to class size? How will bombastic cuts affect our students... our children? Don't sign these petitions!