When Senate President James “Pate” Philip said it would take “an act of God” to move Gov. Jim Edgar’s recent proposal on education funding out of a Senate committee, a religious association took note.
Although not presuming to perform miracles, the group, Protestants for the Common Good, still wanted to help.
On Saturday, it sponsored a two-hour forum on public-education funding at Chicago’s Fourth Presbyterian Church. And it appears Edgar’s proposal–or at least its structure–has a bit of life remaining in the minds of some supporters.
Several speakers at the forum called for a constitutional amendment similar to the one Edgar proposed. Among them were James Compton, Chicago Urban League president; Millie Rivera, executive director of the Latino Institute; and state Sen. Arthur Berman (D-Chicago).
Edgar was supposed to be the keynote speaker, but he made an emergency trip to tornado-damaged Decatur and was replaced by adviser Allen Grosboll.
“The recent plan recommended by the governor’s commission (on school funding) is the latest, most viable option for this state,” said Compton, who was a commission member. “Though it was immediately rejected by our legislative leaders, the education issue has become so visible that they could not simply walk away as they had in the past. Edgar’s proposal served as a catalyst.”
Edgar’s commission recommended an income-tax increase of up to $1.9 billion to pay for $1.5 billion in property-tax relief and give $400 million to schools.
But Republican lawmakers overwhelmingly rejected the proposed constitutional amendment and came up with their own solution. The latest proposal is from House Speaker Lee Daniels (R-Elmhurst), whose plan for raising school funding without a tax increase would hand over $225 to $250 per student in the 1996-1997 school year to every district in the state, regardless of wealth.
Compton said Daniels’ proposal is a temporary solution that doesn’t address the problem.
“It’s a one-time infusion of additional revenue,” Compton said. “This additional revenue increases the state’s debt burden and shortchanges the state’s other essential services. . . . And it does nothing to decrease the education-funding gap between districts that can spend more than $14,500 a year per student and other districts that spend less than $3,000 per pupil.”
Berman said he plans to introduce an amendment next week that is similar to what Edgar proposed, but more specific. He will recommend that a foundation level of funding of $4,225 per student should be reached in three years.
