Skelton: Help schools help themselves with parcel taxes

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

One of the only ways for school districts to raise more revenue is to ask voters to increase their parcel taxes. But that takes a two-thirds vote, and only about half of those votes have been successful in three decades.

In Thursday’s column, George Skelton says reducing the voter threshold to 55% would allow schools to get the revenue they need.

‘This idea currently is kicking around the Legislature,’ writes Skelton. ‘But so far it hasn’t been linked to [Gov. Jerry] Brown’s new school-funding proposal.’

Asked if he would support such a proposal, Brown was hesitant last week. He mentioned that voters just approved statewide increases as part of Proposition 30.

‘The fact is, California is not bashful in collecting public revenue or raising funds,’ he said. ‘So I want to be careful.’

All of Skelton’s columns are here.

ALSO:

Gov. Jerry Brown commits to major Medi-Cal expansion

Gov. Jerry Brown wants changes at state university systems

Democratic legislative leaders relieved by Gov. Brown’s budget