Education Funding

March 22, 2010

As many as 17,000 school personnel could be laid off for next school year due to state funding problems. What should the state do about this?

Cut spending, raise taxes, fund education

It’s time for legislators to stop worrying about re-election and make some hard choices. Cut spending and increase taxes. That’s the simple answer. But tax increases are unpopular and unlikely in an election year such as this. Former Gov. Jim Edger — the last governor not to be charged with a crime — doubts whether the Illinois Legislature has the will to fix a nearly $13 billion deficit. I agree. Politicians would rather borrow money and increase fees than boost taxes and reduce spending.

The state income tax, at 3 percent, needs to be raised for two years. After two years, the increase should end automatically. Then lawmakers can see if the economy has picked up enough to generate the needed revenue without the higher tax rate. Look at spending increases across all state departments. Make programs leaner.

Gov. Patrick Quinn projects funding to schools must be cut by $1.3 billion unless taxes are increased. In this economy it’s understandable that schools need to trim expenses, but these cuts are too deep. Funding education is the state’s obligation. — Tom Martin, editor

State needs to make education the priority

You can’t discuss the education funding crisis without first pointing the finger (I’ll let you decide which one) at our inept state legislators, past and present. Their inability to manage our state finances is embarrassing, irresponsible and, in my mind, criminal.

Now, how to fix it? I think Gov. Quinn’s proposal to raise the state income tax, with the money funneled directly to education funding, is a good start. Education funding has to be our state’s No. 1 priority.

The problem is that the state has made this mess over a decade and now has decided to place it squarely in the lap of its citizens without taking any responsibility for it. It’s pathetic how the state Legislature and the governor have had to hijack education for a tax increase.

Enough of the scare tactics. Illinois schools can’t function with 17,000 fewer teachers. District 205 can’t function without most of the 78 staff it cut earlier this month. The same goes for all local districts, which are faced with cutting programs and good teachers.

Does Illinois value education for its population? The state needs to own up to its responsibilities and reform, and that includes funding education. — Jay Redfern, assistant editor

Time to change education funding system

Educators have been calling for an overhaul of Illinois’ educa tion funding system for decades. Instead, the beleaguered system has suffered along with the rest of the state budget to the point we are at today.

It’s time to heed that call and make some serious changes.

Gov. Quinn’s proposed 1 percent income tax hike earmarked for education would be a start, but it doesn’t answer the overarching problem. Perhaps some variation of House Bill 174 is what is needed.

According to the Better Funding for Better Schools Coalition, the bill would increase income tax and some sales taxes, increase some tax credits and provide new revenue to K-16 education, along with educational reforms.

That, combined with some belt-tightening at the district level and use of district reserves for the short term should put us back on track for the long term. — Rob Buck, local news editor

Approve Quinn’s income tax hike

In his budget address, Gov. Pat Quinn said a 33 percent income tax increase is needed or school funding will be slashed by $1.3 billion. As many as 17,000 school personnel could be laid off.

Illinois lawmakers have been told for decades to find an alternative to funding schools with property taxes. Gov. Jim Edgar asked legislators to approve a property tax for income tax swap. While most Democrats supported the Republican governor’s proposal, in the upside down world of Illinois politics, only seven Republicans, including state Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson, supported it.

This is a hard sell during a recession, but our children are our future. We have to properly pay for education or employers and potential residents will avoid Illinois and unemployment will remain high. Un less someone has a better idea, legislators should vote for the income tax hike. We have to figure out how to end our reliance on property taxes for education funding. It’s a disaster for education, especially downstate. — John R. Pulliam, business editor