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…

Simulation of the effects of five selected fiscal constraint programs was compared. The authors conclude that fiscal limits are unlikely to have large effects on a state's total economic activity, and any impacts may be negative. The revenue sources and expenditures most affected are policy decisions; education is a significant loser under…

The third in a series on school finance, this report describes state sales tax practices that, when coupled with individual income and property taxes, add stability and diversity to the local tax system from which public education draws its support. Figures and tables illustrate: the percent of state and local government expenditures for selected…

Examines some causes and basic principles of the current movement toward school finance equalization and points out some of the problems inherent in most equalization plans. (JG)

Uneven access to taxable real property wealth currently produces wide disparities in per pupil expenditures among New York state school districts. The state's operating aid formula does not compensate for the inequities in low wealth districts having an operating expense level of more than $1,500 per pupil. In the last decade several proposals…

This report is the outcome of a study conducted to review and assess the development and the advantages and disadvantages of Illinois' present system of financing community colleges; to survey and evaluate the financing systems of other states with highly developed public educational systems; to assess the major alternative schemes of financing…

Describes how state and local school aid systems operate in Oklahoma, Delaware, and Alaska, how they have changed, how equity objectives vary among them, and how well the systems achieve objectives. Emphasizes special circumstances in each state and finds that equity must be studied in relation to other policy objectives. (JW)

Examines the efficacy of nonresidential expanded tax base (ETB) approaches to school finance. A simulation estimated effects of statewide and regional nonresidential ETB approaches on measures of student equity for New York school districts. ETB approaches would improve student equity at no additional cost to the state and need not adversely…

Summarizes alternative tax systems available to school districts in Ohio and reviews their development. Presents socioeconomic information about the populations of two Ohio towns, summarizes limitations of the property tax as the primary source of local school funds, and discusses implications of passing a city-district income tax in Euclid, Ohio.…

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…

This paper consists of several short essays on seven different state community colleges. The first essay, entitled, "Michigan Community Colleges: Is Proposal 'A' Harmful or Helpful?" explains how Proposal A was initiated to provide local property tax relief to homeowners and to equalize funding of rich and poor public K-12 school districts. The…

It is proposed that New Jersey assume approximately 70 percent of the cost of its public schools. Several other proposals are presented, all a radical departure from current school funding practices. (BW)

The lessons of state tax reform learned in California are that education systems need to establish working relationships with all constituencies, work closely with other groups with similar interests, build public faith in education, and encourage and support intelligent and courageous educational leadership. (MSE)

State governments have the capacity to address health resource allocations productively. It is recommended that Massachusetts make an explicit and unequivocal commitment to regional planning and finally, to a state health plan to identify priority needs and resources. (MSE)

Argues that tax-target plans, which would permit taxpayers to earmark a fraction of local property tax dollars to specific items or schools, would foster the natural tendencies of social stratification. (Author/MLF)