Oklahoma voters will decide in November whether to allow local property taxes to be spent on school operations.
Currently, they may only go toward building funds, but Gov. Mary Fallin approved today State Question 801 for the Nov. 6 ballot.
Sen. Stephanie Bice proposed the expanded use of property taxes through Senate Joint Resolution 70. Bice said many communities approved the maximum five additional mills allowed for school districts long ago.
"They’re already paying this money. Why not give them the flexibility to be able to use it for something other than the actual buildings or infrastructure of those schools?" Bice said debating Senate Joint Resolution 70 in March.
The constitutional amendment would allow districts to spend property tax funding on things like teacher pay, classroom supplies and school resource officers.
Many local officials have asked for the state to approve additional funding methods for schools cities or counties can pursue, including Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum.
Opponents of the proposal have cited a few concerns.
"It seems to be shifting the responsibilities of 23rd and Lincoln back onto communities that may or may not be able to provide," Sen. J.J. Dossett said in March.
Sen. Ron Sharp said in March the change probably wouldn’t spur smaller or poorer communities to raise property taxes to help their schools.
"They would not want to do so because that means, then, that they would be giving up funds from our appropriated funds that we’re giving. So, there is absolutely no impetus for them to want to do this," Sharp said.
Sharp also worried the switch will create inequitable funding across districts, leading to lawsuits.
SQ801 joins measures on optometry in retail stores, crime victims' rights, and the joint nomination of the governor and lieutenant governor on the November ballot.
