Hopson says tax plan will shift burden
Hopson says tax plan will shift burden: "Representative Chuck Hopson, District 11, said the House and Senate are getting “closer every time” and they hope to come to an agreement before the end of the special session.
“The appropriations bill, HB 1 should be passed soon which will give $1.9 billion for school finance,” said Hopson. “The problem is that HB 2 calls for $3 billion in appropriations which leaves us $1.1 billion to find in funding.”
Hopson said with the $1.9 billion, schools can be funded exactly the same as last year so even if no more money is appropriated schools will start on time. “However unfunded mandates in HB 2, such as teachers raises, could go by the wayside if additional way to fund these mandates is not found,” said Hopson. “I have always been against unfunded mandates and will vote against them in this bill.”
Hopson said HB 3 which calls for lower property taxes will do nothing but shift the burden of funding public schools to different areas. “HB 3 calls for reduction in property taxes but increases taxes on items such as cigarettes, alcohol, bottled water, auto repair and sales tax on new automobiles,” said Hopson. “HB 2 and HB 3 is not solving the ‘Robinhood’ problem with school finance but is creating a ‘Robinhood 2’ ”.
Hopson said the way HB 3 was designed it was not expected to make money but only shifts the funding from one source to another... “it’s a wash.”"
“The appropriations bill, HB 1 should be passed soon which will give $1.9 billion for school finance,” said Hopson. “The problem is that HB 2 calls for $3 billion in appropriations which leaves us $1.1 billion to find in funding.”
Hopson said with the $1.9 billion, schools can be funded exactly the same as last year so even if no more money is appropriated schools will start on time. “However unfunded mandates in HB 2, such as teachers raises, could go by the wayside if additional way to fund these mandates is not found,” said Hopson. “I have always been against unfunded mandates and will vote against them in this bill.”
Hopson said HB 3 which calls for lower property taxes will do nothing but shift the burden of funding public schools to different areas. “HB 3 calls for reduction in property taxes but increases taxes on items such as cigarettes, alcohol, bottled water, auto repair and sales tax on new automobiles,” said Hopson. “HB 2 and HB 3 is not solving the ‘Robinhood’ problem with school finance but is creating a ‘Robinhood 2’ ”.
Hopson said the way HB 3 was designed it was not expected to make money but only shifts the funding from one source to another... “it’s a wash.”"
posted by Unknown at 5:51 PM
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