Dear
local PTA leaders:
At
the MCCPTA Delegates Assembly on
Also pasted below for your information is a one page sheet
that provided background to the delegates prior to the vote on this
resolution. This is for your information. The language was not
specifically voted upon or authorized MCCPTA. If you have additional
questions or need more information please contact one of the MCCPTA Officers.
Thank
you for your cooperation.
RESOLUTION
ON PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT QUESTION A
Whereas the MCPS Operating Budget accounts for
approximately 46-48% of the County's Operating Budget, and MCPS requires
substantial additional funds for school construction and rehabilitation;
Whereas the County income tax rate is at the highest
permissible level, and although property
tax rates have not increased, the County Council has found it necessary in
recent years to authorize increases in property tax revenues that exceed the
rate inflation in order to continue to provide services and facilities that are
necessary and/or desired by residents of the County, including education
services and education facilities;
Whereas Question A on the November Montgomery
County ballot would
limit the property tax revenue collected by Montgomery County, regardless of
needs,
generally prohibiting the County Council from allowing property tax revenues to
exceed the rate of inflation; and
Whereas the current County Charter already provides
that the property tax rate cannot exceed
the rate of inflation unless there is a super-majority vote of at least seven
of the nine members of the Council.
It is hereby Resolved that
MCCPTA declares its opposition to amendment of
the County Charter as proposed by Question A on the 2004 ballot; and
MCCPTA authorizes preparation and distribution
of a statement of
MCCPTA opposition to, and information against, Question A;
authorizes its local PTAs and their members to use that statement; and urges
them to act to oppose Question A.
This message has been authorized and paid for by MCCPTA, Cindy Kerr, President.
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION (not voted upon by MCCPTA)
THE
What is Question A?
Question A is the latest Robin Ficker effort to limit the revenue collected by the County,
regardless of our needs. Adoption of Question A would prevent property tax
revenues from exceeding the rate of inflation. The current
What Would Be The Effect of
Question A?
The County income tax is already at the
highest level allowed by the State, so the limit on property tax revenues would
necessarily limit funds to provide for services. The limitation would compound
over the years. If Question A had been in effect for Fiscal Year 2004, there
would have been a $12 million reduction in available revenue for that year,
then a $48 million reduction in FY ‘05. Projections for FY ‘06 indicate a
potential $94 million gap if Question A is approved.
The County Has Faced Difficult
Budget Circumstances In Recent Years.
In recent years, income tax collections have
been lower and spending needs have increased. In education, the student population
has increased at a rate of over 3000 students per year since 1990, there have
been Federal and State mandated programs that are not adequately supported by
those governments, there have been added costs due to changes in technology and
security needs, increasingly greater percentages of the student population are
students who it simply costs more to educate (such as Special Needs students
and students for whom English is a second language) and our school buildings
are getting older. The County has also experienced increased costs for public
safety, homeland security, and social services. At the same time, State distributions
to the County were decreased in a number of areas
The Adverse Impact Of Question A Would Be Bad For Everyone In
Since the County Schools receive about half of the County operating budget, the
reduction in revenues that would have occurred this past year would likely have
meant a loss of $24 million to the school system. A strong school system is
important to everyone in the County, including those who do not currently have
children in the school system. Efforts to retain and attract businesses will be
hindered if we can not ensure employers that they will find well-educated
graduates and good schools for the children of their employees. Additionally,
erosion of our school system will erode property values. If the Schools’ budget
was not part of an across-the-board reduction in funding, that would mean big
cuts in other important County programs such as police, fire, transportation
and social services.
Question A Is Not Necessary!
The current Charter requires a super majority of
7 of 9 votes for an increase in property tax revenues above the rate of
inflation. If proponents of Question A feel the County
is not spending money wisely, they can argue against certain expenditures; it
takes only 5 votes to approve a budget. Or proponents of Question A can try to
change the members of the Council. But we do not need to amend the Charter.
Please Be Sure to Vote Against
Question A!