I have introduced a package of bills that would increase efficiency in public school spending and eliminate property taxes by providing alternative sources of funding for public education.

• H.B. 1577 would require the Department of Education to develop general design plans that all school districts would follow for the construction of schools and other education-related facilities. Uniform construction plans would result in substantial savings in construction costs, as well as the cost of purchasing equipment for buildings.



• H.B. 1578 would require the Department of General Services to purchase school supplies for all public schools in the Commonwealth. Centralized purchasing would result in significant savings on education expenses.



• H.B. 1579 would require the Department of Education to negotiate a statewide contract for all public school employees. However, individual school districts would retain authority over the hiring, termination, promotion and discipline of their employees. The bill would also require the Education Department to prepare a plan for consolidating school districts.



• H.B. 1580 would increase the state sales tax and the state Personal Income Tax, with the additional revenue going toward elimination of the local school property tax. The sales tax would be increased incrementally from the current 6 percent in most of the state to 9.66 percent in 2012. The income tax would be increased from the current 3.07 percent to 4.94 percent by 2012.