Here is a sampling of newspaper editorials from around the state supporting Gov. Ritter’s attempts to fund education.  These were in support of the previous mill levy proposal.  We’ll see how this new proposal is received.

From the March 15 Denver Post

Critics of Gov. Bill Ritter’s plan to expand preschool and kindergarten programs by “freezing” school property taxes are insulting the intelligence of local voters – most of whom have already approved just such a freeze.

Anti-tax fanatic Douglas Bruce was quick to asssail Ritter’s plan to hold property tax rates steady as a “tax increase,” based on his familiar claim that failure to cut taxes every year is the same as increasing them.

Bruce’s logic reminds us of a game we played as a kid called “backwards land,” where the object was do everything “sdrawkcad.” The adult viewpoint on taxes was better represented by Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, who argued simply, “If I pay $100 this year and $100 next year, I don’t see that as a tax increase.”

From the March 29 Greeley Tribune:

So we believe the measure promoted by Ritter makes sense. It helps stabilize cash flow to schools before they become swamped further by unfunded mandates. It would bring some relief to four northern Colorado school districts on the bottom of the current funding curve.

From the March 31 Craig Daily Press:

Currently, we are in a wait-and-see mode.

We are waiting to see if the Board of Education decides 2 percent in cuts need to be made and what that would entail.

Waiting to see if the state Legislature will reform a funding formula that took MCSD from one of the top-funded districts in the state in the early 1990s to the lowest funded in the state per pupil this year.

What do you think?

If you support the proposal, Take a moment to sign our letter to the Senate.