- Eliminate the School District Property Tax -
Eliminate the State Monopoly on Public Education
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania states in Article
III, Part B, Section 14: "The General Assembly shall provide for the
maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public
education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth."
The system we have today is thorough, but it fails the constitutional
requirement to be efficient. This is easily demonstrated by the
fact that numerous private schools are able to provide a quality,
college ready education at a fraction of the amount spent by many
public schools. An efficient system must be able to provide
quality public education at competitive costs.
Private schools consistently graduate students with higher grade point
averages, and send a greater percentage of students on to college,
where a greater percentage of those students attain their degrees.
The public school system suffers from inefficiency by design. By
dividing the State into regimented school districts and essentially
mandating attendance within those districts, the Legislature removed
the effects of competition from the administration of public
schools. Giving each district individual taxing authority further
destroys efficiency, as it removes incentives for the school to
operate cost effectively.
Our current system fails the constitutional efficiency and does not
adequately serve the needs of the Commonwealth.
Our schools have declined steadily
ever since compulsory attendance and tax funding were imposed. You
must realize that there is no such thing as the "free education" other
politicians promise you. One way or another, you pay for it - in
real estate taxes (paid indirectly by renters) and in sales and excise
taxes.
I will propose legislation which will eliminate all school district
taxing authority, to be replaced by uniform statewide funding. It
will emphasize cost containment, and will subsidize all public schools
at an equal rate per enrolled student. Parents will be allowed to
send their children to any public school in the State. Schools
will compete with each other
to provide the best quality education using the available
revenue.
In time, tuition will make up the balance of the education costs as we
determine by experience the best proportion of tax to tuition
funding. Financing options will be available for those who need
it, from
a multitude of lending institutions, and competition will keep costs in
check.
This system will unleash the full potential of Pennsylvanians
to create the highest quality of education in the nation.
2006 Campaign Home
