Wanted: More Freedom For Schools To Tax For Repairs

FOREST LAKE, Minn. (AP) - A Democratic state senator wants to make it easier for Minnesota school districts to raise property taxes for maintenance funding.

Senator Kevin Dahle proposes letting districts raise property taxes on residents without a public vote. Twenty-five districts already have that ability.

Dahle and several districts say the bill would provide much-needed funding for routine items like carpet and window replacements.The state would chip in money to districts with low property tax bases.

That's estimated to cost Minnesota $300 million over three years.

State Representative Steve Drazkowski says that price is too steep. He suggests making every school district ask voters before taxing them for maintenance funds instead of letting 25 districts go around them.