Rep. Diane Schuette 12, Pembroke.
Dear Pembroke Families, I recently received a resolution from the Pembroke Board of Education. It is addressed to all elected members of the state legislature, and I am one of them. We are asking you to support more equitable funding solutions for our public schools to alleviate the heavy burden facing Pembroke’s property taxpayers. These board members face the monumental task of cutting her $3 million from the school budget, as adopted by taxpayers at the district meeting. And even with that big tax cut, many of us will still find it difficult, if not impossible, to cover our taxes this year.
Several bills were introduced this session aimed at helping communities like ours, but only two survive at this time. His bill, HB 1583, would increase state funding for public schools by $65 million, and Pembroke would receive an increase. Approximately $700,000 starting July 1, 2024. HB 1656 would increase the state’s annual spending on special education by $17 million.
HB 1583 passed the House and is currently awaiting action from the Senate Finance Committee, while HB 1656, which also passed the House, has been recommended for preliminary consideration in the Senate and, if adopted, would This means that no action will be taken. With another year to go, the full Senate is expected to act on this bill soon. Although these two bills would reduce the burden of property taxes, they would still fall far short of meeting the standards required by numerous court decisions that have ordered the state to more equitably cover these costs.
I supported these two bills and specifically voted against bills that would require additional curriculum for public schools without providing additional funding or that would further deplete the Education Trust Fund. . I am grateful for the difficult and painful decisions that the members of the Pembroke Board of Education have had to make to better and equitably fund public education for the benefit of my town and many others. I hope that I can persuade the next Congress to do so.
