By Tom Weber, Minnesota Public Radio News

ST. PAUL — State Rep. Pat Garofalo, R-Farmington, plans to introduce legislation that would allow school districts to hold levy votes only in even-numbered years, when turnout is already higher for other elections.

Garofalo plans to push for such a requirement in law when lawmakers reconvene in January. Garofalo, chairman of the House Education Finance Committee, said the levy bill will be the first his committee will discuss.

“Everybody knows that next Tuesday we’re going to see unbelievably low voter turnout,” Garofalo said. “The irony is at the same time we’re seeing so much press about a $300-million state subsidy for a Vikings stadium, there’s going to be $900 million in tax revenue on the ballot next Tuesday — and there’s been very little coverage of it.”

Voters in 126 school districts will see tax questions on the ballot next Tuesday. Garofalo cited data from the state Education Department that finds more than 70 percent of referenda pass during odd-numbered years, a number that falls to 52 percent during even-numbered years.

 

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