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SF 1153 SUMMARY
Introduced by Sen. Steve Kelley on February 24, 2005, to allow tax refunds up to $50 for an individual and $100 for a married couple for their contribution to a classroom teacher who purchases school supplies or other materials for their class (HF967 Companion Bill).

TESTIMONY
My name is Mary Cecconi and I am with Parents United Network.

You would think that parents would be grateful and supportive of a bill which allows tax credits for their donations to public schools, but the truth of the matter is this bill is a symptom of our current problem in school funding—not a solution.

This bill puts into law a process that encourages private dollars going to fund what is essentially a public responsibility.  More and more public needs are being supplied through philanthropy.

The fact that this bill has come into play at this time is a very visible sign of just how desperate we are to find funding for our public schools—no matter where it leads us.  I talk with parents every day and it is rare that one doesn’t ask—why can’t we just hold a big fundraiser to help the schools.  I explain that that is exactly what a tax is—a huge bake sale where we all bring the brownies and we all buy the brownies—with the net result is that everyone wins.   

We’re opposed to legislation that systematizes the opportunity for private dollars to allow the public to abdicate it’s responsibilities to our school children and aids to the current disparities that our district’s experience!