WI plan to raise $$ for kids. (cross-post)

[mzteris]

"Penny for Kids" http://www.apennyforkids.org /

As a result of Wisconsin’s flawed school funding system, the amount of money going to our schools has not matched the rising cost of quality education.

Therefore, communities around the state have been forced to lay off staff, increase class sizes, cut programs and services, and increase their reliance on already overburdened property taxpayers. This crisis situation was made even worse when the state government decided to cut aid to public schools.

Now it is our turn to step forward. A “Penny for Kids” is all it will take to provide for our children and maintain the high quality of life that our communities deserve.
Sign the "Penny for Kids" petition to tell Wisconsin legislators that our schools need their attention now and a penny-for-kids sales tax increase is a good way to start

If passed, a one-cent increase in the sales tax will raise about $850 million annually. According to the plan being worked out by WAES members, the largest portion of that revenue would be devoted to children in classrooms through increases in categorical aid. Additionally, because it would increase the state’s share of school aid “A Penny for Kids” would slow increases in property taxes expected in the wake of the most recent state budget. One example of that distribution is:

* $280 million to increase equalization aid and reduce property taxes
* $280 million for additional aid to children from poverty
* $170 million to offset the regressively of the sales tax
* $66 million for additional aid to children with disabilities
* $25 million in additional aid for rural districts
* $15 million in additional aid for children who are English language learners
* $10 million in additional aid for transportation expenses
* $10 million to slow the decline in aid to districts with declining enrollment

http://www.apennyforkids.org /



(not to be confused with the pennies for peace program, but that's good, too! :hi: http://www.penniesforpeace.org / )