BY MICHAEL HAWTHORNE
Enquirer Columbus Bureau
COLUMBUS -- A coalition of business, social service and education leaders said Tuesday that a 1-cent sales tax increase is the best method to help schools, even though half the money wouldn't go to classrooms. Looking to counter a group of school officials, teachers and PTAs that opposes the tax increase, proponents lined up to defend their plan and unveiled their first TV commercial, which avoids any direct mention of a tax increase.
"I'm asking the rest of our family to give consideration to these distinguished people who really care about our children and the future of our state," Gov. George Voinovich said at Tuesday's press conference. "I really believe it will take Ohio to the next step to develop the God-given talents of our kids."
Joining Mr. Voinovich in his support are the Ohio Education Association (OEA), state universities, some of the state's leading business groups and the Children's Defense Fund.
If voters approve state Issue 2 on the May 5 ballot, the state sales tax will increase to 6 cents from 5 cents on the dollar. Half of the $1.1 billion raised annually would go to schools, with the rest used for tax breaks for homeowners.
Some opponents argue the plan lacks sufficient funds for the poorest schools and won't do enough to address the long-term problems of Ohio's school buildings, ranked the worst among the 50 states by a federal study.
Others say school-related taxes already are high enough.
Most of the proponents who gathered at the press conference to amplify their endorsements acknowledged the plan doesn't address all of their concerns.
For instance, the OEA's president said schools need more money. The head of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce said more needs to be done to ensure schools spend tax money wisely and produce results.
Half of the groups on record in support of the tax increase are related to higher education, which could face drastic budget cuts if voters reject the proposal.
Lawmakers, the reasoning goes, would still be required by law to pay for per-pupil increases in school funding. To get the money they would either have to increase taxes themselves or cut other areas of the state budget.
"This is the best option available to us," said Ohio University President Robert Glidden.
Mark Real, Ohio director of the Children's Defense Fund, added another warning: If the tax plan fails, voters could have a more expensive solution imposed upon them by the Ohio Supreme Court. The high court prompted the tax plan with its landmark ruling last year that declared the state's system of funding public schools inadequate and unconstitutional. The court gave lawmakers one year to overhaul the way money is raised, spent and borrowed for schools.
The leader of a coalition of school districts that won the school-funding case said tax proponents are trying to paint the opponents as extremists. "These are statements uttered in desperation," said William Phillis, executive director of the Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, which opposes Issue 2.
