At a glance
House and Senate bills were drafted that would provide some relief to districts dealing with protected taxes. House Bill 1062 and Senate Bill 163 allow districts to distribute their funds as they see fit, rather than be required to protect certain funds.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT: Bills received hearings and moved through — unanimously — their respective houses.
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW: This week an amended House Bill 1062, which would exempt school corporations who are impacted by 10 percent or more by protected taxes/circuit breaker loses, through 2016, passed through the senate appropriations committee last Thursday.
MUNCIE - Another step was taken this week that could provide relief for districts dealing with protected taxes legislation.
Muncie Community Schools has been keeping a close eye on this legislative session, which could provide money — at least for a short time — to help keep the school buses running.
Because of protected taxes, MCS stands to lose 89 percent of its transportation fund. Bills moving through the senate and the house in recent weeks could keep that from happening.
This week, the senate appropriations committee heard an amended House Bill 1062, which deals with circuit breaker/protected taxes issues.
The amended bill would exempt school corporations who are impacted by 10 percent or more, including MCS, through 2016. The bill was passed unanimously, 12-0, by the committee. It now moves to the full senate.
A similar bill, Senate Bill 163, would have exempted corporations impacted 20 percent or more and offer grants to districts needing relief.
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