For most citizens, it s easy to understand what you pay in sales and income taxes. The Governor may or may not have a good idea. But the public debate which will follow can only lead to better understanding of our school financing system. In Minnesota, providing a uniform system of public schools is a state obligation which is enshrined in our constitution. The rest is paid for by local property taxes.
Most citizens know that about half of their property tax bill goes to pay for schools.
But hold everything, it is way too soon to draw any conclusion like that. The cautious and prudent legislator will not take a position on the Governor s school funding proposal until all of the blanks are filled in. However, one thing is certain, this debate is a healthy political exercise. Even though the Legislature did not put the Governor s Unicameral idea on the ballot, the public debate that followed helped people better understand the Legislature s function and process. I m glad that more citizens now understand how our legislature functions.