AREA LAWMAKERS: CARNAHAN IS FACING REALITY ON SCHOOLS

JEFFERSON CITY - Several Southeast Missouri legislators agreed Thursday that Gov. Mel Carnahan is only facing up to reality with his decision to delay pushing a tax increase plan to fund some reforms in education.

"He stared reality in the face and made the decision he had to make," said Sen. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau. "I was startled when I read it at first but if you examine it, what else could he do? We're in a heck of a fix in this state on school funding."

Added Rep. Joe Driskill, D-Poplar Bluff, "I applaud the governor for doing it. "But I hope he stays with his plans for education reforms."

A tax increase for education was a cornerstone of Carnahan's gubernatorial campaign last year. Under his proposal, the governor planned to push a $300 million tax hike, with $200 million coming at the state level and $100 million from local school districts.

But one of Carnahan's assumptions at the time was that the school foundation formula's funding problems could be corrected with an infusion of about $100 million. However, Cole County Circuit Judge Byron Kinder has ruled that the state funding formula is unconstitutional because it is not equitable or adequate.

A joint House-Senate committee has been studying ways to change the formula to comply with Kinder's ruling and has determined that fixing the formula could cost $500 million or more.

Many legislators felt passing the $200 million state tax hike would be difficult but possible; one over $500 million would be nearly impossible, they say.

The state has appealed Kinder's ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court. The circuit judge has given the General Assembly until August to correct the formula's flaws.

Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, who serves on the task force, said that while Carnahan was wise in delaying his tax push, she believes he needs to step forward with an immediate plan of action for dealing with the formula funding issue.

"I'm anxious to see what his ideas are and how to fund it," said Williams. "Certainly $100 million will not bring us to equity and adequacy. He's going to have to show strong leadership for us to get something passed through the House and Senate."

Rep. Jim Graham, R-Fred~ericktown, and Rep. Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, believe President Clinton's plans to raise taxes at the federal level played a part in Carnahan's decision.

Kasten noted: "I think his decision is wise considering possible taxation coming down from the federal government. I don't think people are going to stand still for large sums of taxes.

"Certainly we have to do something about the foundation formula, but we have to be real about it."

Added Graham: "I think he is looking at it from a realistic point of view right now."

Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, stressed it is important to get Judge Kinder's ruling figured out and then move forward. "But, I hope he doesn't abandon his plan of creating world class schools," said Thomason.

"I think it would have been futile for the governor to push his reforms in light of the court decision," said Driskill. "Absent the judge's decision, the governor would have had a shot at getting his reforms passed this year."

Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn, D-Sikeston, observed that Carnahan might have been able to pass a $200 million tax increase, but with voter concern about federal court desegregation payments there is no way voters would approve a large increase of taxes.

"The governor is wise in calling off his plan when $100 million won't fix the formula. The last thing we need is a band aid approach," said Ziegenhorn. "But I really would like this legislature to be responsive to do this on our own without a mandate of the courts and get a good formula."

Ziegenhorn pointed out that if Judge Kinder's order were followed, school districts in Southeast Missouri would all receive additional funding through the formula.

Rep. Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, an attorney, said he does not believe the Supreme Court will agree with Judge Kinder that funding for schools are inadequate.

"I am still of the opinion that adequacy and equity can be achieved with a much smaller infusion of money," said Richardson. "Everyone has become an expert on what the judge meant, and I think they are viewing it too liberally.

"I don't think the General Assembly needs to be jumping off a cliff with a large tax increase of over $500 million simply because that is what they think the judge said."

Richardson said his preference would be for the legislature to put $100 million into the formula to address the equity issue and wait for final court action on the issue of adequate funds.

Richardson added that he believes the General Assembly will be able to ultimately fulfill the court order with cuts in the existing budget and possibly modest tax increases.