Senator Devlin and Representative Garrett Introduce Legislation to Improve Local Control Over Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 17, 2011 Contact: Jenn Baker (503-986-1719)

Senator Devlin and Representative Garrett Introduce Legislation to Improve Local Control Over Schools Bill will allow school districts to ask voters for more funding

SALEM – Today Senator Richard Devlin (D- Tualatin) and Representative Chris Garrett (D-Lake Oswego) introduced House Bill 3455, which will give local school districts greater control over their revenue. If the bill becomes law, school districts across the state could go to local voters and ask them for additional property tax revenue.

“In a time of budget cuts, higher local revenue would be a big help for our schools” said Representative Garrett. “The Lake Oswego School District, for example, could ask voters for another million dollars a year if HB 3455 passes.”

Local property taxes are capped by both statute and the state constitution. The level of these caps depends on property values in the local area. For many districts, the statutory cap is lower than the constitutional cap. HB 3455 will loosen the statutory caps, so these school districts can ask voters to raise local property taxes and send the money to the school district. The Measure 5 and 50 constitutional limits on the property taxes, however, would remain in place.

“Having a local option has been critical to school districts like Lake Oswego” said Senator Devlin. “This bill would provide school districts greater flexibility and control over their finances by giving voters the option to choose to put more resources into their schools.”

Devlin represents Senate District 19, which includes West Linn, Tualatin, Lake Oswego, and portions of Southwest Portland.

Garrett represents House District 38, which encompasses Lake Oswego and portions of Southwest Portland.