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Use of Property Taxes to Fund Schools Questioned

A state senator is concerned that Missouri's elementary and secondary education system is in jeopardy. Kyle Elfrink has the story from Jefferson City.

Currently, local property taxes fund education. But, Senator Harold Caskey says rulings in other states against using property taxes for education threaten how Missouri now funds schools. Now he wants to reform Missouri's policy.

Senator Jerry Howard says there are many diverse needs in the state and legislators need to take a look at all possibilities ...

Caskey is looking at other ways to fund state schooling, including raising income taxes or increasing the state sales tax.

From the state capitol, I'm Kyle Elfrink.

Date:February 3, 2000

By: Kyle Elfrink

State Capital Bureau

State sales tax may be replacing local property taxes as the method of funding education in Missouri. Kyle Elfrink has that story from Jefferson City.

Senator Harold Caskey is trying to draft a bill that addresses rulings by other states. Courts in 5 states have said property taxes can't be used to fund education.

One of Caskey's options is to raise the state sales tax to pay for schools. Senator Jerry Howard says such a choice might work against the poor though ...

Caskey hopes to have a bill ready for the Senate to hear by March. From the state capitol, I'm Kyle Elfrink.