This study is the first to empirically examine how school districts allocate resources in response to capital investment revenue from statewide penny sales taxes (called SAVE funds), and whether SAVE funds affect student outputs (i.e., educational achievement). We found evidence that school districts do not use SAVE funds to increase capital…

New York's property tax is often criticized as burdensome and inequitable. This report analyzes changes in the property tax from 1993-2006 to assess its impact across regions, property classes and ability to pay. The study examines both statewide trends and variations in trends among local school districts, as well as the role of the School Tax…

Preserving existing revenues is an essential component of the work of school business officials. The broad ranges of activities that can affect school district revenues make identifying potential threats difficult. By understanding the issues that affect school district revenue, school business officials are better able to diminish its erosion--a…

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a school finance proposal, exemplified by House Bill 113 of the 2003 legislative session, that would shift some school funding away from local property taxes and toward state funds and local income taxes. The proposal would give greater proportional benefits to homeowners with lower property values. A…

A growing interest in the use of nonproperty sources to replace an overburdened property tax, actually or psychologically, has been evident in recent years, particularly as school district levies have been running into stiff voter opposition. However, because school districts have relied on the property tax for their major and often sole source of…