From John Urkevich, Executive Director,
Cooperating School Districts of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
School Bus Safety Belts
HB1356 (Flook) was heard in the House Transportation Committee on Monday. It imposes a $15 surcharge for motor vehicle moving violations and creates the School Bus Safety Assistance Fund to assist school districts in equipping school buses with seat belts. CSD's position on this issue is that if the legislature is going to require seat belts on buses, then they should provide full funding. We offered testimony to that effect.
Fee Office Contracts
Presently, license fee offices are operated by appointees of the Department of Revenue.HB1866 (Scavuzzo) requires the Department of Revenue to award fee office contracts with a priority to school districts and charitable organizations. These offices can generate significant income. CSD testified in favor of HB1866.
Another Tax Credit/Voucher Bill
HB2207 (Hoskins) establishes the HCH Scholarship Program which authorizes a tax credit for contributing to an educational assistance organization. CSD went on record as opposed to this bill.
Real Property Tax Revenue Limitations
HJR43 (Portwood) is a constitutional amendment, which if passed, alters the rollback requirement for the Hancock Amendment by requiring the current levy, not the maximum authorized levy, to be reduced to yield the same gross revenue for existing property as before an increase in assessed valuations, with an adjustment for changes in the general price level. HJR43 would essentially mean that any district which is utilizing a levy less than the voter approved levy, would either have to roll back their levy off of their current rate after reassessment, or raise their levy to the full voter approved limit to avoid loss of revenue. Most districts would choose the second option. The bill has already passed the House. CSD encourages you to contact your senators and urge them to NOT support HJR43 when it comes up for future consideration.
Tuition Tax Credit Vouchers Amended onto
Different House Bill
An omnibus bill has been filed in the House that has a number of very negative legislative proposals attached to it. HCS for HB 2040 and 2430 (Jetton and Holsman) includes HB 1886 on tuition tax credit scholarships and HB 2489 on administrator salary reporting. Unfortunately, it also contains several positive bills including SB 779 on pre-school and HB 1722 on teacher protection. Contact your representatives and urge them to vote no on HCS for HB 2040 and 2430.
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