Pub. 7 2017-2018 Issue 2

9 Second, the Legislature imposed a 5-year floor on the Basic Levy. Instead of floating down as property values across the state increase, the Basic Levy will remain constant, thereby generating even more money for public education. Again, charter schools will receive our share of this increasing revenue, as the Legislature distributes this increased revenue through the WPU. Third, the Legislature fixed the ratio of income tax and property tax revenues that comprise the WPU at its current 85-15 ratio. As the Legislature increases the value of the WPU in future years, they will simultaneously increase the Basic Levy by whatever amount is necessary to preserve the 85-15 ratio. Again, because the Legislature uses the WPU to distribute these funds, charter schools will receive an equitable share. Fourth, the Legislature is placing an opinion question before the voters this fall. This opinion question will gauge whether voters support a $0.10 per gallon increase in the gas tax, with revenues from that increase going both to public education and to local road construction and maintenance. It is unclear how voters will react to this opinion question, and the results of the opinion question do not dictate whether future legislatures will impose this gas tax. Nonetheless, the opinion question is further indication that the Legislature wants to make sure public education has the resources we need to succeed. Before I close, I should note that UAPCS is again working with a coalition to conduct debates between candidates for the State Board of Education. This year we will have debates before the Primary election in District 2 (Ogden area), District 6 (Kearns area) and District 9 (northern Utah County). These debates will be during the last week of May and the first week of June. In late September and early October, we will host debates for the General Election in those districts, plus District 1 (Cache Valley), District 3 (West Valley City) and District 5 (south Davis County). In District 14, only the incumbent Mark Huntsman filed to run, so there will be no election. We are thrilled to be working with our friends at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, United Way Salt Lake, KSL, the Deseret News and the Sutherland Institute. They have been and continue to be great partners in these debates. We will tell you when and where each of the debates will be, and hope all of you will encourage your friends and families to attend these debates. Have a wonderful Spring, and we look forward to seeing you at our conference June 13-14, and at the national confer- ence in Austin June 17-20. We provide the most personalized business services and financial analysis to charter schools who value autonomy. Monty Hardy 801.394.4140 433 N 1500 W Ogden, UT 84404 www.redapplefinance.com Pantone 195 Pantone 186 Black Pantone 389 Pantone 377 DANI GORDEN Advertising Sales 855.747. 4003 Dani@thenewslinkgroup. com WORDS. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4