A bill, HB2083, takes the concept of alternative facts to a whole new level by assigning a new meaning to the words “budget increase.” Currently, voter publicity pamphlets and other literature refer to budget overrides as budget increases.
Under the scheme proposed in HB2083, ballot language would change:
“E. If the election is to exceed the revenue control limit and if the proposed increase will be fully funded by a levy of taxes upon ON the taxable property within the school district, the ballot shall contain the words “budget increase LOCALLY CONTROLLED FUNDING, yes” and “budget increase LOCALLY CONTROLLED FUNDING, no”, and the voter shall signify his THE VOTER’S desired choice.”
“Everyone can see that Speaker of the House JD Mesnard, has turned the House into a carnival-style fun house, but the fact that he would let this bill be calendared is more than confounding. HB2083 is a blatant attempt at misleading the voters about the nature of budget overrides,” said one Capitol watcher.
Currently, when voters vote to approve budget overrides they are voting to increase the budget above the established limit. The language is plain and understandable. HB2083 would essentially hide the fact that “yes” votes mean spending more money.
Fiscal conservatives were shocked that Mesnard assigned the bill to the House Education Committee. They were not surprised at all that Education Committee Chairman Paul Boyer has scheduled it for a hearing on Monday, January 30.