Thoroughly explains the Balanced Budget and Emergency Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings) and its probable implications for federal elementary, secondary, and higher education programs. Cancelling any portion of the authorized budget will reduce education program funding by 4.3 percent--compounding a 16 percent reduction during 1981-1986.…

This paper analyzes educational-finance reform in Vermont, which culminated in the passage of Act 60, a comprehensive education and tax reform measure, and the subsequent political furor the act engendered. It outlines the pre-reform background focusing on early civil-society organizations and the unique political landscape in Vermont. The article…

The author details how a massive shift of people, jobs, and money has benefited the "sunbelt" cities of the South and West at the expense of the "frostbelt" cities of the Northeast and Midwest. Some implications for education are suggested. (Author/MLF)

Presents the annual budget report for public libraries for 1999, including budget projections; local taxes; rise of technology budgets; materials, salary, and operating budgets; per capita funding; fundraising; net costs; and the role of the Gates Library Foundation. (LRW)

Discusses Milwaukee's (Wisconsin) use of public tax dollars to finance private education and what the implications are for public schools. Examines how the controversial concept got started, its support in the courts, and the pros and cons of its implementation on public schools relative to the school-choice debate. (GR)

This paper describes some of the important changes that have occurred in California community colleges since Proposition 13 was enacted in 1978, in hopes to assist Arizona state leaders as they consider possible reductions on local property tax support for community colleges. Included is an historical overview, an official mission description of…

This document provides detailed tables of the operating budget appropriation for the Illinois public community college system for fiscal year 2002. This document reflects final audited data and revised decision criteria affecting the appropriation for the community college system. Figures detailed in this report include basic instruction resource…

Computer Ease is an intergenerational program designed to put an Ohio elementary school's computer lab, software library, staff, and students at the disposal of older adults desiring to become computer literate. Three 90-minute instructional sessions allow seniors to experience 1-to-1 high-tech instruction by enthusiastic, nonthreatening…

The report details an action plan developed by the Southern Regional Task Force on Child Care, comprised of appointees from 16 southern states including Oklahoma and the mayor of the District of Columbia, with additional appointees from the other agencies. The charge to the task force was to develop a plan to improve access to child care…

Critical to the success of current efforts to reform and restructure education and other community supports and services to improve the lives of children and their families is the way in which they are financed. This report of The Finance Project focuses on ways of using tax policies to help build strong local communities that can support families…

The initial financial outcomes of the "voucher plan" applied to the nonpublic schools in British Columbia are assessed. The schools are then described and a summary of the methods of financing both public and nonpublic schools is offered. Impacts of aid on parents, students, taxpayers, and the government are discussed. (Author/PN)

Describes strategies library director Dan Wilson used to keep the New Orleans Public Library ahead of budget shortfalls. Successful lobbying efforts to get a tax levy; growth in the library budget, technology, and services; changes in the service population; and Wilson's role as a facilitator are covered. (KRN)

This practicum report describes a step-by-step plan followed by the author and his employer, the Massachusetts Teachers' Association (MTA), to correct the fiscal disparities that existed in the Massachusetts school finance system and to provide property tax relief to Massachusetts taxpayers. The plan included assessing the existing Massachusetts…

The trend toward corporate political support of higher education appears to be spreading. After years of corporate and business financial support to higher education, now groups in Kentucky, Washington, Utah, West Virginia and other states are making political contributions to higher education as well. (MLW)

The current Illinois school finance formula fails to bring very wealthy districts within acceptable equalization bounds. Manipulating tax rates of wealthy and other districts is unacceptable or financially unfeasible. This paper proposes a two-stage process requiring state equalization at the county level, followed by equalization within each…