Proposed state law would cancel school boards I wish to bring to your attention a situation that has occurred in the state Legislature. Assemblyman Peter Barnes (D-18th) and Assemblywoman Barbara Buono (D-18th) have reintroduced their bill, ACR 28, to fund public education 100 percent. The state currently funds 43 percent. For the fiscal year 1999-2000, $5.61 billion in school aid and $580.6 million in teacher pensions are currently budgeted. If the bill were to pass, the following would occur. To fund 100 percent, the state would need to raise taxes an additional $7 billion. This would mean raising the state sales tax from 6 percent to 14.8 percent or doubling the state income tax. Further, there would be no need for school boards. State bureaucrats from Trenton would run the entire state educational system. It is quite evident that Barnes and Buono are not in touch with the needs of the taxpayers nor do they have any respect for their paychecks. The last time a Democrat raised taxes, he had a short tenure. Jim Florio raised taxes $2.8 billion, and the citizens of the state were up in arms. They sent him a clear message the next election period. Barnes and Buono want to raise taxes $7 billion. This legislation needs to be defeated for the good of the taxpayers and their families. Norman J. Van Houten Edison
