Posted: | March 16, 2018 12:39 PM |
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From: | Representative Mark Mustio |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | SCHOOL SAFETY & MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1 EXCEPTIONS |
In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation which will help schools provide additional resources for mental health services and school safety. Due to the recent, tragic school shooting that took place at Parkland High School, conversations concerning the protection of our school children and the prevention of future senseless violence have increased. Recommendations from our public schools and educators have often focused on enhanced school safety and the mental health of our students. In fact, mental health and security services are fast growing components of our ever-evolving education system. Unfortunately, many of schools lack the resources to effectively address these needs. Currently, school district budgets are developed by school board officials and constrained by Act 1, the Property Tax Relief Act. The Act 1 Index is the state's measure for determining property tax increases justified by wage inflation. Each district's index is calculated separately for each fiscal year, and consists of two parts: the base index, and the district adjustment. If a school wishes to pass a budget that increased revenues beyond the allowable Act 1 index, they are required to seek voter approval through a referendum of a rate increase greater than the Act 1 index. There are three notable exceptions to the referendum requirement:
I hope you will join me in co-sponsoring this import legislation. |