HR 34

26LC 112 4297
     House Resolution 34EX
     By: Representatives Davis of the 87th, Drenner of the 85th, Mitchell of the 88th, Tran of the
     80th, Scott of the 76th, and others
                                 A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing the importance of educational funding equity, the protection of local school
2 funding, and the preservation of stable revenue sources for public education; and for other
3 purposes.
4 WHEREAS, the DeKalb County School District serves one of the largest and most diverse
5 student populations in the State of Georgia; and
6 WHEREAS, public education is essential to the economic prosperity, workforce
7 development, public safety, and quality of life of DeKalb County residents; and
8 WHEREAS, local property taxes have historically provided a stable, predictable, and reliable
9 source of revenue for public education and school operations; and
10 WHEREAS, proposals have been advanced at the state level that could reduce, limit, replace,
11 or eliminate property taxes as a source of funding for public education and local government
12 services; and
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13 WHEREAS, replacing property tax revenues with sales tax revenues may expose school
14 districts to increased financial uncertainty during economic downturns and periods of
15 reduced consumer spending; and
16 WHEREAS, DeKalb County taxpayers contribute substantial revenues to the State of
17 Georgia and support educational funding systems that benefit school districts throughout the
18 state; and
19 WHEREAS, concerns have been raised regarding whether certain counties, including
20 DeKalb County, function as donor counties within existing state funding structures and
21 whether such counties receive an equitable return on taxpayer investment; and
22 WHEREAS, the DeKalb County School District serves students from diverse socioeconomic
23 backgrounds, including economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities,
24 English language learners, refugee and immigrant students, and students requiring additional
25 educational supports; and
26 WHEREAS, funding decisions made at the state level have significant consequences for
27 educational opportunity, student achievement, transportation services, school safety, teacher
28 retention, workforce development, and community stability.
29 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
30 the members of this body recognize the importance of the stable, equitable, and sustainable
31 funding of public education.
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32 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
33 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the
34 public and the press.
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