ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The chairman of the Minnesota House Education Finance Committee is proposing to restrict votes on school levies to even-numbered years, when history shows they are less likely to be approved.
Rep. Patrick Garofalo, R-Farmington, described his bill today. It comes less than a week before about a third of Minnesota school districts go to their voters for more money on Tuesday.
Voter turnout is almost always higher on even-numbered years, when races for state and federal offices are on the ballot. Garofalo says school levy votes deserve the attention of more voters.
The Minnesota School Boards Association opposes the proposal, saying that voters in odd-year elections are better informed because they aren't caught up in partisan races for Congress and the White House.
