The vast majority of these referenda were in Republican-voting areas, and notice how many of them weren't for specific projects, but were asking for the tax increases just to keep the lights on and the classrooms open as-is. Sure makes you wonder if a lot of those voters are starting to draw the connection between state aid cuts to public schools and increases in funding to voucher schools, and the increased property taxes that will result from all of this referenda. Ordinarily I'd say no, but then you look at the large number of rural counties that JoAnne Kloppenburg won last night, and I maintain a bit of hope going forward.
Speaking of referenda, the Budget Project's Tamarine Cornelius has her eyes on that absurd bill that some WisGOP leigslators have tried to sneak through that would limit these referenda.
This legislative session, some Wisconsin lawmakers sought to make it more difficult for voters to approve additional resources for children in public schools in their districts. They proposed requiring a two-year waiting period after an unsuccessful referendum before voters could get another chance to approve new resources. A later, amended version of the legislation shortened the waiting period to one year. As the state Assembly wraps up work this week, it looks like this bill (Assembly Bill 481/Senate Bill 355) won’t pass, meaning that residents can continue to use the referendum as a way to approve new resources for schools.While I wouldn't put it past these bastards to try to pull that bill up late tomorrow night, I think there's been enough blowback from people that these guys will likely back off. Besides, as last night showed, the areas that elected those school-cutting GOP legislators continue to believe in paying taxes to support their own schools. I just wonder if those same voters will take the next step and actually elect different legislators that might stop the cycle we've seen all too often of
1. Cut public school funding
2. Requiring school referendum and
3. Increase in property taxes
Slinger has an excellent history of community and schools working together. Slinger teachers requested reopening of negotiations during the height of Act 10 and both sides have consistently worked in good faith through this mess. Not much positive stuff to report out here in Washington County, but if a referendum would pass here, it would be in Slinger.
ReplyDeleteGood background, Sue. I just dont get why they don't realize that regressive garbage like Bob Gannon and Duey Stroebel doesn't hold those same pro-education values.
DeleteIs the racism and religion just so overwhelming to these people that they don't see that voting R leads to slitting their own community's throat.
Can you put one of those Tweet buttons on your site? It will help traffic, I think. I would certainly utilize it.
ReplyDeleteThere's a button at the top of the page (above the page title) with the word "More." That is a drop down menu which includes a link to Twitter.
DeleteJake, as usual you're the best--I really value all of these posts. Two years ago we lost a referendum in our district, and voted down a tech initiative, but maybe things will turn soon.
ReplyDeleteActually, credit the Wisconsin Budget Project with the graphics and great article. I had meant to talk about this, but they did a lot of it better than I could.
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