Taxpayer unhappiness with increasing property taxes have prompted changes to Wisconsin's school finance system. In the midst of providing property-tax relief, the new tax base structure remains intact and allows school districts to exceed their revenue limits with a majority vote in districtwide elections. Debate is ongoing. (MLH)

Research into voters' reasons for supporting or opposing Proposition 2 1/2, Massachusetts's 1980 property tax limitation measure, revealed that educational issues were of moderate importance and that voters were more interested in restructuring educational finance and governance than in reducing school budgets. Still the passage of the measure…

Because Louisiana is facing financial difficulties, the impact of reductions in federal aid since 1980 has been severe. With a state economy dependent on gas, oil, and agriculture, Louisiana suffers when oil prices are low and farming costs are high. Reduced tax income for the state lowers state spending, forcing additional enterprises out of…

In 1993, the Michigan Legislature eliminated the local property tax as the main public education funding source. This article explores the details of Michigan's policy process during late 1993 and early 1994, focusing on consequences. Recently, the school property tax was partially reinstated. The system is working, but vulnerable to cash…

Property taxes for the cost of educational programs should be virtually eliminated. (Author/JN)

Reviews the background of the property tax from ancient antecedents through the history of the United States, with particular reference to the rise of free public education. Issues discussed include major influences on the development of schools, tax limitations, the expansion of state and federal aid, and future projections. (MJL)

The author examines sources of taxpayer discontent with property taxes and with public education. He proposes full state funding as a solution to education's financial dilemma. (Author/SJL)

This paper attempts both to provide a way of looking at school finance in order to make wiser decisions about it and to discuss some alternative ways to finance the public schools of New York State. The New York school finance system is examined in terms of equity, efficiency, and responsiveness, as are some of the characteristics of the…

Growing frustration with educational finance in Illinois prompted school districts to file, in 1990, a lawsuit that demands adequate funding, equitable distribution of funds, and increased economic efficiency in public education. This document includes a description of events leading up to the suit. Early attempts to improve educational equity…

The fourth in a series of technical reports on public education finance in Oregon, this study identifies significant developments from 1968 to 1983 in elementary and secondary finance as well as probable future trends. In addition, it briefly compares the financial standings among Oregon school districts and compares Oregon's school finance system…

Describes model, data, results, and implications of a study attempting to clarify two issues previously overlooked in studies of financing public education with local property taxes: (1) that regionally aggregated data may bias test results, and (2) that local fiscal response to grant programs may vary with the wealth of school districts. (SB)

This report describes a study aimed to help education advocates protect public schools and services from the effects of certain types of economic development subsidies. These subsidies include cutting companies' property taxes and granting long-term diversions of certain districts' property taxes to corporations making investment in those…

This book explores three major fiscal problems facing elementary and secondary education in the United States: (1) school district difficulties in making ends meet, (2) disparities in expenditure levels and tax burdens among school districts, and (3) declining revenues and enrollments in nonpublic schools. The authors examine the underlying causes…

This report is an annual collection of school district financial data. Specifically, this report presents analyses of school district revenues from the 1997-98 school year. The report is designed to address the following questions about the financing of public elementary and secondary education at the state and district levels: How much money per…