Under the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights, most excess tax money must be returned to the people.
Opponents say it's an unwise approach to funding educational programs.
But supporters insist the time is right to aid schools because extra tax surpluses are likely to be available and the need to improve student achievement is evident. More than half of the students who took the science portion of the test also scored less than proficient. The measure passed the Senate by only one vote on the last night of the 1999 session. But not everyone thinks Referendum F will do what it proposes. Under Referendum F, poor or low-achieving school districts would get first dibs on available funds, along with programs that show the greatest potential for improving academic performance in math and science.