Sample resolution boards can use to support the Legislature's income tax surcharge

Board Action: Approved at September 12-13, 2003 Board of Directors' Meeting

Resolution

WHEREAS, the 2003 Oregon Legislative Assembly approved a revenue package in August 2003 that would yield about $800 million for the 2003-05 state budget; and

WHEREAS, $414 million of the revenue package would go to the State School Fund to support K-12 public education; and

WHEREAS, elimination of the revenue package would mean a cut of $625 per weighted student (ADMw) in K-12 schools, a nearly nine percent reduction in 2004-05 school funding; and

WHEREAS, cuts to Oregon’s K-12 schools in the 2003-05 biennium would mean, for example, larger class sizes, a shortened school year and delays in purchasing updated textbooks and other needed instructional materials, and result in a direct negative impact on student learning; and

WHEREAS, for the average Oregon personal income taxpayer, the temporary income tax surcharge means a tax increase of less than $10 per month; and

WHEREAS, opponents have until Nov. 25 to gather the 50,420 registered voters’ signatures needed to qualify the referendum for the Feb. 3, 2004 special election; and

WHEREAS, if voters overturn the revenue package, schools and state agencies would pay the price because automatic budget cuts would kick in for the 2004-05 fiscal year.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Oregon School Boards Association Board of Directors strongly supports the 2003 Legislature’s bi-partisan revenue package to balance the state’s 2003-05 budget. The revenues are essential to providing needed funds to operate K-12 public schools in 2003-05 as well as prevent deeper budget cuts in our schools;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association Board of Directors urges all OSBA members to NOT sign the current referendum petitions being circulated to qualify the Legislature’s revenue package for a Feb. 3, 2004 election; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association Board of Directors urges its members -- locally elected school, education service district and community college board members -- to encourage local voters to READ AND UNDERSTAND the impacts of the petitions BEFORE signing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association Board of Directors urges its members to inform their local community what it would mean to their schools if the $414 million in the Legislature’s revenue package is not available to Oregon’s public schools in 2004-05.