All posts in the topic Minneapolis Referendum Questions (Short link)
Summary
- There are 7 posts — by 5 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Ann Berget at May 28 14:46 UTC
John asks:
Are we really paying less? The current levy is not going away, correct?
Me:
Yes, it goes away in 2009.
With this referendum, the school folks have basically "doubled down," gambling
on a $60 million request to replace the current $30 million. If they lose, it's
zero.
[Note subject hed tweak to remove "no subject]
Not so fast, David.
The ballot question has not been written yet. It could be posed in a variety of
ways that are not "Double or nothing".
Ann Berget
Kingfield 8-7
David writes that "with this referendum, the school folks have basically
"doubled down," gambling on a $60 million request to replace the current $30
million. If they lose, it's zero.
If the referendum were to fail this fall -- and I most certainly hope that it
would not -- the voters would have another crack at it in November 2009.
If the referendum fails this November, surely this would be a huge setback. But
it's perhaps a bit misleading to suggested that the District and students walk
away with zero. Funds from the current referendum, as David rightly points
out, do not expire until sometime after 2009 ballot.
I'm concerned "doubling down" language overstates it and suggests some type of
all or nothing strategy. My impression is that those behind the referendum are
not high stakes gamblers. There is little to suggest -- either by the dollar
amount or timing of vote -- that they are engaged in high stakes behavior.
I've posted in the past about the forthcoming school referendum. I have two
kids in the system but, regardless, I have always been a staunch supporter of
public education. It is/was the great equalizer in American society. I feel for
the District as this is a terrible time to be whacking folks with additional
property. As a progressive, I'm appalled at what has happened over the past 6-8
years. Those who hurt the most are those least equipped to weather the storm or
have been overlooked by society. Toss Mpls kids in this pool or unfortunates.
If it fails -- and god help our city if it does -- their will be plenty of
blame to go around. Do not look solely at MPS. Responsibility will rightly be
placed on the doorsteps of our elected officials from all levels and types. I,
for one, am in the mood for significant and substantive change, and not just at
the presidential level. The stakes are pretty high and this upcoming referendum
is but one example. Time to get serious, stop pointing fingers, work together,
and do what is right.
The ballot question will be simply written describing the single annual
amount and the term. I expect it will also describe the fiscal oversight
body being created to ensure accountability.
The ballot language will be posted on the web site as soon as it is
available.
For updates, please go to www.StrongSchoolsStrongCity.org
"The ballot question has not been written yet. It could be posed in a variety
of ways that are not "Double or nothing"."
Well, no matter what the details of it's writing, it still will come down to
Yes for a new referendum or No, nothing -- it CAN NOT be written in such a way
that a No vote continues the old referendum. That one will end on it's
scheduled expiration date, and the Minneapolis Schools will get nothing more
from it. A new one must be passed for the schools to get any referendum money.
However, a 2-part ballot question CAN be posed:
Part 1: Yes/No on the $60M Question;
Part 2: If No, then what about (a smaller amount)?
As well, if a referendum failed in 2008, another could be put on the ballot in
2009, and since the current one doesn't end until 12/31/09, funding would
"continue" without interruption.
In no event can these funds be dedicated to specific purposes (i.e., class size
reduction, accountability measures, etc.). State law prevents such dedication.
BTW, about accountability: There are different kinds. Some are simple
"compliance" measures, meaning, for example, did you spend the money on what
you said you were going to spend it on? Another kind of accountability would go
to whether an otherwise compliant expenditure produced the results that were
sought. Another kind of accountability might be what would happen to the money
if promised results were not forthcoming.
All good accountability measurement requires establishment of credible,
measureable baselines before changes are introduced against which future
performance can be assessed.
Just some things to think about.
Ann Berget
Kingfield 8-7
Steve -
Concerning "dedication", the ballot question cannot specify. The campaign can
be as specific as it wants, but those are political promises and?are not
legally binding. They are only as good as the people who make them and even
then, people can change their minds or priorities and of course?if new members
come onto the board, those new members have no obligation whatsoever to
promises made by previous boards.
Hope this clarifies.
Ann Berget