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Affluent Areas Approve Parcel Tax Measures to Fund Public Schools
- 11-07-2009
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Poorer Communities Face Deeper Cuts Due to Election Results
Themes in the News for the week of Nov. 2-6, 2009
By UCLA IDEA staff
Following a predictable pattern, Tuesday’s election saw the defeat of “parcel taxes” in poorer communities, and passage of those taxes in wealthier ones. Parcel taxes are additional levies on top of property taxes, and require approval by two-thirds of the voters. The taxes have become an important source of local revenue as state taxes are less able to provide for local schools and other services. Parcel taxes are based on a fixed amount of money per “lot,” and are not calculated according to the value of the land itself. It is called a “regressive” tax because everyone, regardless of the value of their property or ability to pay, is charged the same.
Fourteen parcel tax measures were on the ballot across the state; eight passed. All but three of these measures intended to bring funds into public schools. Culver City Unified School District’s parcel tax measure passed. The tax, $96 a year for the next five years, is expected to “to help pay for math, science and technology and music and art programs; update instructional materials and libraries; and keep class sizes small” (Los Angeles Times). The measure is expected to produce $1.2 million annually. Meanwhile Long Beach’s tax failed, garnering only 43% of “yes” votes (Ballotpedia). The Los Angeles Times’ analysis suggested that the Culver City’s “… small size (just over 6,700 students) and relatively affluent population” were factors in the measure passing.
Indeed, the Times also reported earlier this year that “voters in small wealthy communities were more likely to approve parcel taxes than those in larger, less-affluent areas” (Los Angeles Times). For example, earlier parcel tax measures passed in San Marino, South Pasadena, and Palos Verdes, producing millions of dollars for public schools (KPCC).
The Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) stood to gain $11.5 million for each of the next five years, which would have softened the effects of its $100 million budget cuts over the last five years. In addition, LBUSD faces $90 million in cuts over the next two years, along with the resulting teacher layoffs and increased class sizes (Long Beach Press-Telegram, KPCC).
"We knew this was a long shot, but we wanted to give voters one last chance before we make some severe cuts," said Chris Eftychiou, spokesman for LBUSD (Los Angeles Times).
Voters in Contra Costa County resoundingly approved a parcel tax for the Walnut Creek School District, generating $1.2 million in revenues. “The parcel tax helps to keep class sizes smaller, classroom computers and technology up-to-date, helps fund school libraries and pay for teachers” (Contra Costa Times).
A UCLA IDEA analysis of the results of the parcel tax measures found that as the proportion of low-income students rises, the chances that a parcel tax will pass falls. 8 out of 9 districts with less than 40% of students receiving free or reduced price lunch passed their parcel tax. Conversely, all 6 districts with more than 40% of students receiving free or reduced price lunch failed to pass the parcel tax.
Next year, the Los Angeles Unified School District, where more than 75% of students receive free or reduced price lunch, is also proposing a parcel tax measure to close its budget gap (KPCC).
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