In November, 85 percent of Richmonders voted in favor of a referendum that is set to modernize the city’s schools and facilities, with a fully-funded plan that, “cannot be based on the passage of new or increased taxes,” according to the language of the bill. The amendment in the charter requires Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney to create a plan within six months to improve facilities for Richmond Public Schools (RPS) without raising taxes on city dwellers. Though, a bill from the House of Delegates could change that.
Delegate Jeff Bourne (D-71) has put forth a bill that will remove the requirement of a plan to improve and modernize RPS without raising taxes. H.B. 1409 states:
“Not later than January 1, 2019, the mayor shall formally present to the city council a fully funded plan to modernize the city’s K-12 educational infrastructure consistent with national standards or inform city council such a plan is not feasible. In fulfilling the duties herein, the mayor shall consult with the school board and city council, consider cost savings available in state or federal law, and further provide an opportunity for public participation.”
Senator Glen Sturtevant (R-10) has filed S.B 750 which keeps the requirement for Mayor Stoney not to raise taxes. The bill keeps all the original language of the referendum, but adds the language:
“The bill prohibits basing the fully funded plan on the passage of new or increased taxes for that purpose.”
Mayor Stoney, who originally opposed the popular referendum, prefers Bourne’s House bill, allowing him to raise taxes in the state’s capital. In a report from Richmond Times-Dispatch, Delegate Bourne believes the Richmond City government should have as many options as possible to fix and upgrade RPS. “I wouldn’t want to handcuff the local government to explore all options to build these schools for our children,” he said. Moreover, according to a recent poll by Christopher Newport University and the Richmond Times-Dispatch, nearly 64 percent of Richmonders support tax increases that will help upgrade RPS. 30 percent were said to oppose the tax measure, with six percent undecided.
There are nearly 20 schools around the Richmond area that have been denied accreditation, around one-quarter of schools in the commonwealth that were insufficient. Many schools of RPS have suffered from a lack of funding, deferred maintenance, mold, and asbestos. In December, the Richmond School Board approved a five-year plan for RPS facilities that is set to modernize schools in the area, but not all of them. According to the school board, modernizing all RPS facilities and schools would take over 20 years, costing around $800 million. Mayor Stoney has until January 1, 2019 to present a plan for RPS. Once presented, the City Council will have just 90 days move forward with the plan or amend it.
Creator of the referendum, Paul Goldman claims he supports Senator Sturtevant’s bill which does not allow the mayor to raise taxes. “The goal remains to help these children and to fix this intolerable situation,” said Goldman. The Senate bill has been referred to the local government committee in the General Assembly while the House bill has yet to move forward.