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reintroduce it next session, but lawmakers will probably wait until after the Senate and House elections of 1995.
The resolution would give elected school boards the power to appropriate money, impose taxes and borrow money—much like boards of supervisors around the state. However, under the resolution, the General Assembly, would decide what taxes or bonds the school board could raise or sell.
Lawmakers, especially delegates facing re-election this fall, point out that main thrust of the resolution is to allow voters to give taxing powers to elected school boards. Voters should know that Richmond would not be giving away any tax authority, lawmakers say.
Division over the idea is not split along traditional party lines, but lawmakers opposed to it come from high-growth areas like Fairfax County that have vehemently opposed taxes. Recent opinion polls indicate that the public is opposed to the idea.
“This is like giving the school board an almighty credit card,” said Marcy Dykes, co-founder and president of Citizens for Sensible Taxation. “It’s tantamount to bankruptcy.”
Critics say taxing authority will lead to higher taxes while supporters contend such power will hold the new elected members more accountable to their campaign promises and to the public.
“We don’t need more taxing authority for school boards on top of tax authority for the county board of supervisors,” said Del. Richard Fisher (R-35th). “But we shouldn’t deny them the right.”
“I don’t think we should change the rules before we start the game,” said Del. Kenneth Plum (D-36th).
Supporters say it is unfair to create an newly elected body and not give those members the ability to raise or allocate money. “It would
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