No Exceptions?

Under HB 1326, taxes increased for fiscal year 2011-2012 under an Act 1 exception higher than the rate of inflation would be rescinded. 

The Education Policy and Leadership Center reported that on May 10, the House Finance Committee reported House Bill 1326 (Rep. Seth Grove, R-196), which would remove certain provisions of the Taxpayer Relief Act (Act 1 of 2006, 1^stSpec. Session) relating to public referendums for approving property tax increases and prohibits school boards from electing to raise taxes above the rate of inflation without voter referendum.  Under HB 1326, if the referendum fails, taxes may be raised but not above the rate of inflation.   Taxes increased for fiscal year 2011-2012 under an Act 1 exception higher than the rate of inflation would be rescinded.  The bill was approved in Committee by a vote of 15-10 and now awaits further action by the full House.

House moving school tax referendum bill (HB1326)

Luzerne County Citizens VOice BY ROBERT SWIFT (HARRISBURG BUREAU CHIEF)

Published: May 19, 2011

HARRISBURG - One item on Gov. Tom Corbett's education agenda gaining traction this spring is legislation to make it harder for school districts to hike property taxes significantly without voter approval.
Read more: http://citizensvoice.com/news/house-moving-school-tax-referendum-bill-1.1148914#ixzz1MpeyEJwP

Schools foresee larger classes, program cuts, tax hikes

Thursday, May 19, 2011, By Bill Schackner, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

---

PDF  Read the PASA/PASBO survey of school district finances.

---

Almost three-quarters of school districts responding to a statewide survey expect to cut instructional programs if Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed reduction of more than $1 billion in education subsidies stands, two school groups said today.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11139/1147754-100-0.stm#ixzz1MpZkGgXk

OPINION

Saving Pennsylvania school boards

Published: Wednesday, May 18, 2011; Pottstown Mercury

The Pennsylvania School Boards Association and Commonwealth Foundation are policy opponents in the debate over giving students taxpayer-funded vouchers. But we strongly agree on the need to give elected school boards relief from onerous mandates that cost taxpayers more money and do little or nothing to improve the quality of public education.

Thomas J. Gentzel is executive director of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (www.PSBA.org) and Matthew J. Brouillette is president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation (www.CommonwealthFoundation.org) in Harrisburg.

http://pottsmerc.com/articles/2011/05/18/opinion/srv0000011764828.txt?viewmode=default