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State Representative Pat Garofalo
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-1069
For more information contact: Jodi Boyne 651-296-0640
NEWS RELEASE
Garofalo proposes all school levy referendums be held in even-year elections
General Elections have higher turnout, higher public involvement
ST. PAUL – Minnesota House Education Finance Committee Chairman Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, today unveiled proposed legislation that would require school districts to hold their levy referendums in General Election years.
“This bill is about transparency, open democracy and greater public participation in school levies,” Garofalo said. “Districts know the facts – their levies are more likely to be approved in odd-year elections because of lower turnout and lower voter engagement. There are more than $900 million worth of tax revenue increases over the next five years on the ballot next week, and that deserves the voting public’s maximum attention.”
According to the Minnesota Department of Education, referendums held during odd-year elections pass at a rate of more than 70 percent. Conversely, during even-year elections when statewide elections are held for state or federal offices, that percentage falls to 52 percent of referendums that pass.
“This bill would prevent situations where districts put a referendum on the ballot intentionally in an odd-year election to exploit lower turnout,” Garofalo said. Because state education funding is set during legislative sessions in odd-numbered years, holding referendums in even-year elections would also give schools and taxpayers time to fully assess their district’s financial situation. Many schools have also not finalized teacher contracts, forcing voters to make a decision on referendums without knowing the full picture of their district’s costs.
“The governor and the Legislature this year agreed to a $650 million increase in education funding, and now just a few months later many districts are back asking for more. Some of them were planning for levies even before the Legislature adjourned, regardless of what the state would provide. Holding elections in General Election years is the most open, transparent way for schools to make their case to voters,” Garofalo said.
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