http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/taxoptions_2168.mp3
Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow school districts to ask voters for temporary increase in the income and sales tax. KSMU's Missy Shelton reports.
THE IDEA IS TO GIVE PUBLIC SHCOOL DISTRICTS MORE OPTIONS...RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE PRIMARY WAYS DISTRICTS RAISE MONEY IS BY ASKING VOTERS TO APPROVE A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE. SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER KRIS KALLEN SAYS HER DISTRICT WOULD BENEFIT FROM HAVING MORE WAYS TO RAISE MONEY. SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL ACKNOWLEDGE IT PROBABLY WOULD NOT BENEFIT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SPRINGFIELD REPRESENTATIVE ROY HOLAND SAYS IT'S NOT SOMETHING ALL DISTRICTS COULD USE TO RAISE MONEY. BUT SOME LAWMAKERS EXPRESS CONCERN THAT IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO BUSINESSES IN AREAS WHERE VOTERS APPROVE A SALES TAX INCREASE TO BENEFIT SCHOOLS. REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA DAVIS SAYS HIGHER TAXES COULD CAUSE SHOPPERS TO GO ELSEWHERE. IN ADDITION TO THAT CONCERN, SOME LAWMAKESR POINT OUT THE PROPOSAL COULD CREATE UNHEALTHY COMPETITION FOR SALES TAX REVENUE SINCE CITIES, COUNTIES AND OTHER LOCAL ENTITIES ALREADY RELY ON THE SALES TAX. DURING A HEARING ON THE PROPOSAL, SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER KRIS KALLEN RESPONDED TO A CONCERN FROM DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE VICKI RIBACK WILSON. BILL SPONSOR ROY HOLAND ACKNOWLEDGES IT WILL BE TOUGH TO OVERCOME OBJECTIONS FROM CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT RELY ON THE SALES TAX...EVEN THOGUH HE SAYS HIS CONSTITUENTS LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING THE SALES TAX INCREASE AS AN OPTION FOR FUNDING SCHOOLS. THE MEASURE IS UP FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE HOUSE TAX POLICY COMMITTEE. IT MUST GAIN COMMITTEE APPROVAL BEFORE IT CAN MOVE TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOR CONSIDERATION. MISSY SHELTON REPORTING.