NEWS
The plan, which includes a 1 percent increase in the state sales tax and property tax relief for homeowners, sailed through the Republican-controlled Senate Tuesday, although Democrats withheld their support.
But GOP leaders in the House were unable Wednesday to assemble enough votes either for the tax hike resolution, which would be placed before voters Nov. 4, nor companion school accountability bills. Those items would tighten fiscal controls on local school districts and increase academic standards for students.
But while conservative Republicans opposed the tax hike, most Democrats were concerned that the package put burdens on school districts without providing enough money.
Republican leaders want to present the tax portions of the proposal to voters for approval in November. The filing deadline for such issues is next Wednesday, giving the lawmakers little time to deal with the complex matters.
The legislature is acting under an Ohio Supreme Court order to develop a school funding formula by March 24, 1998. The current funding system, which depends heavily on local property taxes, was ruled unconstitutional.
* Tax not all slated for
schools. 7A
* Web sites: sconet.ohio.gov/
pages/sf/sf.htm
benet.np1.bricker.com/
school_s/coalit.htm