Later Wednesday night the House by a 99-98 margin approved an amendment from Rep. Seth Grove, R-York County, to tighten existing language in state law covering referenda. "It is designed to prevent property tax increases," said House Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods.
What this means to Mt. Lebanon is that we cannot afford the High School Renovation without going to referendum. The School Board is stuck with the $75 million already borrowed + half the fund balance of $5 million + $5-10 million more borrowed without having to raise taxes over and above Act 1 limits, totaling $85-90 million. The School Board needs to do some serious fundraising for those bike racks!!! OR the School Board needs to come up with that $75 million plan almost 4,000 people asked for. Somebody needs to tell the architect.
Read more: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_744554.html
Update July 2, 2011 Final 2011-12 Budget Printout
12 comments:
If this does indeed close all the loop holes for going above and beyond the original intent of Act 1there are alternatives you don't mention, Eaine.
They could continue to build their coveted "21st century" high school and then to stay under the limits, cut programs & teaching materials, delay maintenace, furlough teachers, increase class sizes, and drop athletics.
But then it'd be pretty darn hard to proclaim its all been for the kids!
Hope the adminstrators and teachers nad the Green LEED supporters will enjoy those precious bike racks and No Idling Zone signs they insist we need.
- Giffen Good
I would not celebrate just yet. Socialists – and Mt. Lebanon has more than its share – don't give up easily because they are convinced of their righteousness. It's hard to break people of the habit of legally plundering other people's money to spend on other people. It would not surprise me a bit to read of legislation introduced to fix the loophole fix (bad pun intended)- or worse, a judge getting involved. Frédéric Bastiat, call your office.
Richard Gideon
Absolutely right Richard!
As Elaine pointed out elsewhere on this blog, how much was wasted in legal fees going to court over a HS project the district can't AFFORD to build and definitely doesn't want to put to referendum!
-Giffen Good
Not good news for the athletic supporters:
V) The indebtedness is for an academic elementary or academic secondary school building.
For purposes of this subclause, the following shall not be considered to be an academic elementary or academic secondary school building:
natatorium, stadium bleachers, athletic field, athletic field lighting equipment and apparatus used to promote and conduct interscholastic athletics.
Thanks, Richard, I forgot about Bastiat's writings. His conclusion in the last paragraph below about unintended consequences seems to have escaped our board and administration.
The parable of the broken window was introduced by Frédéric Bastiat in his 1850 essay Ce qu'on voit et ce qu'on ne voit pas (That Which Is Seen and That Which Is Unseen) to illustrate the hidden costs associated with destroying property of others. The parable, also known as the broken window fallacy or glazier's fallacy, demonstrates how the law of unintended consequences affects economic activity people typically see as beneficial.
It is not seen that as our shopkeeper has spent six francs upon one thing, he cannot spend them upon another. It is not seen that if he had not had a window to replace, he would, perhaps, have replaced his old shoes, or added another book to his library. In short, he would have employed his six francs in some way, which this accident [or HS building project] has prevented.
- Giffen Good
What would stop the finance officer from inflating the salary line in the budget by another $1,00,000 per year?
What would stop the solicitor from collecting back taxes on 650 Washington Road or some other delinquent property?
What will stop the assessed values from going up and creating a windfall tax increase for the school district?
All these add to the funds balance and can be journaled to the capital projects fund - so could fund raising from the athletic supporters!
John Ewing
Important clarification: The amendment to SB 330 passed, but SB 330, itself, has not yet been approved. According to an update one hour ago from Rep. Grove, though, it's ready for vote now, and his office told me it's expected to pass.
Check Rep. Grove's Facebook wall for updates.
Thanks for the link, Tom. I was hoping to come home from work hearing that it was approved. Keeping my fingers crossed. Sure is hard to type that way.
Elaine
According to Rep. Grove's FB wall, SB 330 passed 10 minutes ago:
SB 330 passes the House, off to the Senate, the to the Governor's desk!
SB 330 passed the House, off to the Senate, then to the Governor's desk!
Tom, we were both waiting for it!!!As I said before, "Woowhoo!!"
An update: the bill is now law, Act no. 25. Governor Corbett approved it, apparently, late last night.
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