How can they promise that it will "never again require an increase in the tax rate"? And what is to stop them from continuously raising the sales tax rate & using the funds for other purposes?
I love how they skate around the fact that the sales tax rate in Delaware is 0% and talk about a different tax instead. I'm sure no one ever goes to Delaware for big-ticket items to avoid sales tax
I'm really bothered by the statement that broadening the items that are taxed levels the playing field for businesses. Is someone who sells office supplies really at a disadvantage compared to someone selling groceries? They have nothing to do with each other.
I'm also bothered by the statement that districts would be fully-funded. They won't be fully-funded. They will be funded to the extent of their current revenue. It makes the assumption that some districts, such as Octorara haven't had to make tough choices & cut programs or not add programs. Octorara HS currently offers two languages (Spanish & French). Coatesville offers 4 languages (German, Spanish, French and Russian). Avon Grove also offers four languages (German, Spanish, French & Italian). So, how, under this funding could Octorara increase their language offerings? Coatesville & Avon Grove would continue to receive funding for the additional languages & Octorara would continue to not be able to offer them.
I also like how they blame federal unfunded mandates, but don't blame state unfunded mandates.
One of the questions asks if the place to address the issue is at the local school board level. The response is " The fact is, none of the property taxes in the state have been voted in by the voters. They have been voted in by a small band of school board members essentially unaccountable to the taxpayer." Really? I have two issues with this: 1) Aren't those school board members elected by the voters to make decisions? Can't they be voted out if you don't agree with them? Aren't the meetings public so you can voice your opinion to them? Don't they have phones & email? 2) How is this different than the sponsor of this bill and his collegues expanding the sales tax? I'm not saying it is a bad idea, but it isn't any different than what they accuse school boards of doing. Do we get to vote on every tax increase the state legislature passes? Are we going to get to vote on this bill? I don't think so.
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