Sales tax will help education fund too
By:
Friday, October 31, 2008
I support the Nov. 4 proposal for a county sales tax to fund school facilities. Last year legislation was approved that allows countywide referenda to reduce homeowners' property taxes in exchange for an increase of 1 percent sales tax for school facilities.
The referendum funds can be used for a wide range of school facility improvements, including building repairs and renovations. The funds also can be used to increase the energy efficiency of school buildings, resulting in utility cost savings which can be used for other education needs.
The schools sales tax referendum allows us to use our education dollars wisely.
Instead of allowing school buildings to deteriorate beyond repair and borrowing heavily for major capital improvements, the sales tax revenue will allow us to plan and pay for short- and long-term school maintenance. Revenue generated by the sales tax increase comes directly to our regional office of education, unlike the education funds generated by the lottery, as incorrectly stated in an earlier opinion piece. Importantly, food and drugs are among the items exempted from the 1 percent sales tax which helps to lessen its regressivity.
Many in Illinois have worked for decades to enact more comprehensive school funding reform, an ideal solution to our state's inadequate system of education funding. Although more limited in scope, the county sales tax for schools is an opportunity to invest in our schools today. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Vote "yes" to support our schools.
PEGGY PATTEN
Urbana