State Question 801: Giving local school districts flexibility in use of bond funds

State Question 801, proposed by the state legislature, would add 14 words and delete one word from Article 10, Section 10, of the Oklahoma Constitution. Those few words open up a world of flexibility for taxpayers in local school districts to direct their property taxes where most needed.

Currently, while some property taxes go to fund a school district's operations, voters don't have the option of increasing local property taxes to increase the operational budget. They can only vote bonds to build new buildings. Adopting SQ 801 means that local taxpayers who want to increase teacher salaries or hire more teachers can raise the money themselves; they wouldn't have to wait for the legislature.

Here's how Article 10, Section 10, would change if SQ 801 is adopted. Added words are underlined, the deleted word is stricken through.

Section 10. A. For the purpose of erecting public buildings in counties or cities, or for the purpose of raising money for a building and operations fund for a school district which may be used for erecting, remodeling or repairing school buildings, and for purchasing furniture or for operations as deemed necessary by a school district, the rates of taxation herein limited may be increased, when the rate of such increase and the purpose for which it is intended shall have been submitted to a vote of the people, and a majority of the qualified voters of such county, city, or school district, voting at such election, shall vote therefor: Provided, that such increase shall not exceed five (5) mills on the dollar of the assessed value of the taxable property in such county, city, or school district.

B. A school district may upon approval by a majority of the electors of the district voting on the question make the ad valorem levy for a building and operations fund under subsection A of this section permanent. If the question is approved, the levy in the amount approved as required by this section, shall be made each fiscal year thereafter until such time as a majority of the electors of the district voting on the question rescind the making of the levy permanent. An election on such question shall be held at such time as a petition is signed by ten percent (10%) of the school district electors or a recommendation by the board of education of the school district is made asking that the levies be made each fiscal year.

As with bond issues for school buildings, voters in the school district would have the final say as to whether the tax increase is approved.

Oklahoma has a problem with too many different pots of money -- earmarked funds that can only be spent on limited purposes -- making it impossible to move funds where they are most needed when times are tight. SQ 801 is a step in the right direction, and I'm voting YES.