DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- A study by nonpartisan legislative advisers has found that local schools are increasing property taxes to offset cuts in state spending.
The report released Monday by the Legislative Services Agency found local schools are projected to collect more than $1.6 billion in property taxes during the next budget year, up 8.8 percent from $1.5 billion this year.
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Republicans say Democrats forced the tax increase on property owners by cutting state aid to local schools. House Republican Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen says Democrats who control the Legislature knew when they cut spending that schools would raise property taxes.
Senate Democratic Majority Leader Michael Gronstal says lawmakers passed a measure requiring local schools to spend down cash reserves before turning to tax increases and that the decision to raise taxes was made by local schools.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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