Take Action

Issues

Priorities

Get Involved

Parcel Tax Background

A study recently conducted by the Rand Corporation found that California invests much less in its schools now than it did in the 1970’s. California students are falling behind, ranking among the bottom six states in reading and math. In the nation’s five biggest states, only California students score below average on every national assessment of educational process.

Education funding in California is chronically below the national average. In order to improve student achievement, new investment is needed to reduce class sizes, provide textbooks and other instructional materials, provide facilities for high-quality public charter schools, and offer professional compensation to attract and keep the best and brightest teachers.

 

  

Home < Issues < Classroom Learning Accountability Act

July 27, 2006

Chamber Opposes Proposed Parcel Tax

 

The Fresno Chamber OPPOSES the Classroom Learning Accountability Act (CLAA) because the Fresno Chamber opposes policies that execute government-imposed wage mandates that do not consider regional economic conditions and/or the impacts to local employers. This act clearly does not take into consideration income or property values.

 

Summary


If the measure is passed by a 2/3 vote during the November, 2006 election, a $50 parcel tax that is imposed on all real property in the State that is not otherwise exempt from the ad valorem property tax.

Funds raised are allocated on a per-student basis. However, the state legislature will be able to determine the weights of certain underprivileged students. The three categories that will be weighted by a determined status will include: students with a pre-determined low socio-economic status, non-english speaking students, and special-ed students.

Each fiscal year, every school district shall provide for an annual independent audit of the moneys received from the CLAA. The audit may be prepared as part of any annual audit already required, but it shall show how moneys received from the CLAA were spent by category and program.

Parties Exempt Include:


- Property owners 65 years of age or older
- Property owners who are severely and permanently disabled
- Property that is currently exempt from the ad valorem property tax
(A tax based on the assessed value of real estate or personal property)

Classroom Learning and Accountability Funds shall be allocated accordingly:
(The legislative counsel estimates the CLAA will generate between $460-$500 mil/yr.)


- $235 million (33%) in reducing of class sizes
- $100 million (25%) on textbooks and instructional materials
- $100 million (25%) on programs that enhance the safety and security of students
- $95 million (20%) for Academic Success facility grants
- $20 million (2%) for a data system to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the additional educational facilities

The program, if passed will go into affect July 1, 2007.
 

Contact Kerri Ginis, the Chamber's Government Affairs Manager for more information at (559) 495-4818 or kginis@fresnochamber.com

Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce | 2331 Fresno Street Fresno, California 93721

Phone (559) 495-4818 | Fax 559-495-4811 | Click here to email us.