The Problem

The ProblemBudget cuts have negatively affected Aurora Public Schools. ProblemAPS has had a $70 million cut in its budget since 2010.In 2011, APS lost $512 per student.Gym classes, language classes, and music classes have been cut.Colorado is ranked 40th out of 50 in various state funding statistics (Senator Heath).K-12 funding is about $1 billion below what Amendment 23 calls for(calls for a 1% increase in education funding by 2011) (Senator Heath).

Problem Continued

Aurora Public Schools per pupil funding, as allocated by the state for 2012-13 is $600 below the 2009-10 school year. They have been forced to cut the districts budget by $75 million http://aurorak12.org/category/budget/ Budget Cuts in APS SchoolsFunding in dollarsAlternative Policies Educational VouchersMill LeviesSenate Bill 213Educational VouchersEducational vouchers are money that comes from state taxes and given to an alternative school of the students choice who hope to receive a quality education.

Vouchers are used to receive a better education.Advantage of Educational Vouchers Providing private school access to everyone will increase diversity.

Since parents can choose religious or non-religious schools, the government is not imposing religion on anyone.

Disadvantages of Educational Vouchers Vouchers take funding away from public schools which are already severely underfunded.

Is it constitutional to give tax dollars to private religious schools?

Mill Levies A mill levy is a property tax that the owner is required to pay. Mill levy changes are approved by voters.Advantages to Mill Levies There will be fewer classes and sports programs cut.More teachers will be able to keep their jobs.Disadvantages of Mill LeviesWhen property values of homes go up, so will the tax revenue generated.

Business owners would pay a higher property tax rate of about four times the normal owner.

A high increase would not be favorable in the eyes of taxpayers, therefore they would be dissuaded from voting pro.

Senate Bill 213SB 213 proposes a $1 billion dollar tax increase that would increase school funding in Colorado.SB 213 will divvy out the money by calculating the percentage of mill levies in each district, according to the number of students and the number of at-risk students (at-risk = reduced/free lunch or non-English speaking designation).SB 213 helps the ASCENT educational opportunity program and gives equal funding to the base spending for each pupil statewide.Advantages to Senate Bill 213The bill would divvy out the money by the number of students who attend school daily. For example, if a student were to attend school for the first quarter then transfer to a different school, that money would be transferred to the new school.The bill also gives more money for students if they have multiple designations. For example, an English Language Learner who is also a Free Lunch participant would have funding designated for both that goes to the school.Disadvantage of Senate Bill 213The money would come out of the taxpayers pockets, making it less appealing to voters.Class PoliciesWe would like the proposed annual $40 million for school construction to be appropriated from Amendment 64 funds.Possibility of collecting 15% excise tax and 10% special sales tax allows extra funds to be collected for this purpose. (House Bill 13-1318 Recreational Marijuana Taxes for Novembers ballot)We would also like part of the 130 million from marijuana tax monies to be directed towards public schools from Amendment 64 funds (9 News).

Advantages of Amendment 64 taxes

Schools would receive more money, so there would be fewer and smaller budget cuts.More school activities could be offered due to more money going to schools.Fewer teachers losing their jobs.Possibility of collecting 15% wholesale tax and 10% special sales tax.

Advantages of Amendment 64 TaxesColoradoeducation.bug 2013

Disadvantages of Amendment 64 taxesThis is long-term, not a short-term fix.

Other entities may want the tax money.Disadvantages of Amendment 64 taxesSource: Colorado Center on Law & Policy 2013

Constitutionality Our policy is constitutional because we request that tax dollars be implemented towards schools.

This policy would utilize the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) laws in order to be implemented.Action PlanGovernment Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesNon-Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesGovernment Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesContacted Governor Hickenlooper asking for his opinion on Amendment 64 taxes going to schools.Letter supporting funds with information

Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesContacted all Senators asking for opinions on Amendment 64 taxes going to schoolsSenator Heath-Letter supporting with informationSenator Cadman-No responseSenator Morse-No responseSenator Renfroe-No responseSenator Nicholson-No responseSenator King-No responseSenator Bacon-No responseSenator Ulibarri-No responseSenator Marble-No responseSenator Baumgardner-No response

Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesContacted all Representatives asking for opinions on Amendment 64 taxes going to schoolsRepresentative Johnston-Gave information Representative Holbert-Letter informing us to contact our own districts representative(s)Representative Singer-Letter supporting funds. Representative Ferrandino-No responseRepresentative Waller-No responseRepresentative Summers-No responseRepresentative Fields-No responseRepresentative Melton-No responseRepresentative May-No responseRepresentative Todd-No response

Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesContacted all Representatives asking for opinions on Amendment 64 taxes going to schools cont.Representative Solano-No responseRepresentative Schafer-No responseRepresentative Ramirez-No responseRepresentative Peniston-No responseRepresentative Joshi-No responseRepresentative Murray-No responseRepresentative Beesley-No response

Government Persons Contacted Regarding Amendment 64 TaxesLegislative Council of Colorado General AssemblyLetter with information.

Attorney General John W. Suthers-Letter of support with information

Aurora Public School DistrictSuperintendent John Berry-No responseMs. Temple (Finance Board of Aurora Public Schools)-Did not wish to respondNon-Government Persons Contacted Doug Wilson (Colorado State Public Defender)-Letter with suggestionsMason Tvert (Co-Director of the campaign to regulate marijuana)-Letter supporting $40 millionBarbara Miller (Executive Director Center for Education in Law and Democracy)-Letter with informationBrian Conners (Public Defender)-Letter with informationAndrew Romanoff (International Development Enterprises)-No response to letters or tweets

Non-Government Persons Contacted National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)-No responseNational Latino Officers Association-No responseBlacks in Law Enforcement of America-No response