Because Amendment 66 applies only to preschool-12th grade funding it doesn’t affect the fiscal problems in the college/university system. Yet, the amendment mandates that 43 percent of state revenue is specifically earmarked for “education.” This is in addition to funds generated through the income tax increase that will go into the state education fund.

School districts do not have free rein to use the money as is fitting for individual circumstances; there are mandates for preschool expansion and special education among other programs for students at high risk academically. While these are good programs, it is possible that schools will still not have the money to reinstitute programs that may have been cut such as art, music or PE programs that benefit all students.

Finally, this proposed amendment leaves only 47 percent of the state budget to cover every other administrative cost and service provided by the state. Will we start to generate small increases to the income tax for road and bridge maintenance, disaster relief, social programs?

Funding the government by additional specific taxes and funds creates more bureaucracy and siphons funding from the programs that are served. This system also ties up money based on needs at a specific point in time with no flexibility to use the funding appropriately for future needs.

Jo Ann Beegles

Durango