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[BigRedDog]

This is just basic 'grass roots' stuff today...  mostly school district around here it looks like...   but if you don't vote you can't   b i t c h   about things down the road...  well, you can and I honestly think sometimes it's the ones that don't vote that are the most vocal later

Article from the MEN with more details:

http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/may/07/many-voters-headed-polls-today-around-county/

[Monroe Native]

Why does the school systems insist on doing their elections at odd ball times and voting locations?

I am guessing because they want a smaller electorate to pass what they want....

 

[BigRedDog]

Why does the school systems insist on doing their elections at odd ball times and voting locations?

I am guessing because they want a smaller electorate to pass what they want....

 

You're not the only person I've heard say that but the rules were all set in Lansing so I'm not positive.  I know it's now a hassle for the local townships to run the elections.  Our township has 3 different school districts and they all have an election today.  And Monroe's ballot even extends to the back of the ballot if you're in Monroe Schools!  I stopped in and watched them certifying the scanners one day...  that was kind of interesting.

[Monroe Native]

You're not the only person I've heard say that but the rules were all set in Lansing so I'm not positive.  I know it's now a hassle for the local townships to run the elections.  Our township has 3 different school districts and they all have an election today.  And Monroe's ballot even extends to the back of the ballot if you're in Monroe Schools!  I stopped in and watched them certifying the scanners one day...  that was kind of interesting.

Prop A was supposed to fund the schools.  Isn't that what the politicians told us?

As it is with the homestead exemption this isn't even a fair vote in my opinion.  Sure I'll vote for the millage - I don't have to pay it, that kind of thinking goes on.

[Monroe Native]

By the way everyone - I support passage of the millage's for school funding.

I just don't like the current formula for funding from the State, that all properties don't pay the same taxes (Prop A), and that elections are held at oddball times.

I really think Prop A needs to be replaced with something that makes sense.

When you look at Prop A how they protected certain school districts (Oakland County) and then where the money ended up going I think it hurt the efforts of individual school boards to make their schools the best they could be. 

The voters got suckered into a lie.

[Professor H]

Actually Prop A at the time did what was needed.

It equalized spending in schools across the State
for example School A getting 2,600 per pupil while School B got 5,000 per pupil
These schools could contiguous and in the same county/region.

Luck of the draw was how school funding was done back prior to Prop A    (Rich districts paid teachers high and built fancy buildings - poor districts had to levee higher taxes to fund basics...  and it was all based on if you had industry or not)

We saw how Mason Schools and later Jefferson Schools had the benefits of a power plant in their district - and they overspent, and later couldn't even maintain their buildings as depreciation kicked in.

There was no LIE in Prop A...   it was to equalize the funding formula across the State - For ALL schools.

Someone have a better idea?  I'm sure the State would be receptive.

I'm going to vote to support my local schools.

[Monroe Native]

Prof,

My issues with Prop A are based on how properties are taxed, and those mainly center around two concerns.

First - Prop A capped how fast a property could appreciate to the rate of inflation.  If you were in your house at the beginning of Prop A you pay less in taxes then someone who bought at the peak of the market.  Yes - I know it was intended to not price Grandma out of her house - but you end up with one neighbor paying more in taxes then the guy next door with the same house.  Both get the same services, one pays market value, the other doesn't.  That is not equitable.

Second - Prop A created "homestead" properties and "other" properties.  If you are an "other" you get hit with the big 18 mill non homestead tax rate.  Yes - I know why it was setup that way - but you again end up with all the non-homestead parcels paying the very high tax rate, but everyone gets to vote that tax on them.  Again - for fairness I think all properties should be taxed at the same rate - everyone should pay the same % of burden.  I know many people that will always vote for the non homestead portion of the taxes because they think they don't have to pay them.

For me if you own a piece of property I should pay the same millage rate that you pay, and we both should pay it based on current value.

Again - that is what I think would be fair.  Just a personal opinion.

[Professor H]

I'm surprised the legislature hasn't done much with it in the years since Engler... 
tells me the D's thought it worked as well.

There probably are some tweaks that could be worked out.

Some of what you propose is doing away with the homestead and way of equalizing values - which will likely never garner enough votes.   
Currently homeowners are rewarded by living in the same home for years, but when they transfer or sell it - the value will catch up to date.
I believe that is a separate issue from the Prop A

Prop A did seem to penalize those with "cottages" and/or rental property - but they figure if you have the $$ for that extra home you can pay it. 

[Monroe Native]

I'm surprised the legislature hasn't done much with it in the years since Engler... 
tells me the D's thought it worked as well.

There probably are some tweaks that could be worked out.

Some of what you propose is doing away with the homestead and way of equalizing values - which will likely never garner enough votes.   
Currently homeowners are rewarded by living in the same home for years, but when they transfer or sell it - the value will catch up to date.
I believe that is a separate issue from the Prop A

Prop A did seem to penalize those with "cottages" and/or rental property - but they figure if you have the $$ for that extra home you can pay it.

I think both of those issues are Prop A.

Many up north communities fund their school systems on cottages and lake houses that never send a single kid to their schools.  Yes - I know the thought is they can afford it.

I'd just rather see everyone pay the same millage rate, and since it would be spread out it would be lower.  That is my version of "fairness."  I don't ever see them messing with the formula though.

[BigRedDog]

Sounds like all the school millage levies passed.  But I don't ever remember one failing...  at least not around here.  As MN says, property taxes aren't 'fairly' apportioned...  but then what taxes are.  If you're rich you figure you're getting screwed and if you're broke you figure you're getting screwed.  If MN will come up with a proposal to 'fix' the tax burdens across the board and fair to everyone I'll get on board with him and start contacting every legislator that represents me from local to the President!

The last line in the MEN article below is a bit misleading...  I'm sure not intentionally but maybe an oversight or maybe it was shortened on the final edit. 

The 18 mills are spread on non-residential property, rental properties, vacation homes and vacant land in the districts.

 

All those vacant land 'farm fields' you see throughout the county are not taxed the 18 mills.  Those parcels all qualify for the homestead exemption as long as they are being used for agricultural or horticultural purposes!


http://www.monroenews.com/news/2013/may/07/six-school-districts-pass-levies/