Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

HB 2210 creates a state "Matching Grants for Teachers Plan Fund" to help school districts increase teacher salaries using their own reserve funds. School districts can withdraw money from their reserves for salary increases and receive state matching funds equal to that amount, up to $1 million annually per district. To qualify, districts must maintain at least $100,000 in reserves, cannot deplete reserves below state minimums, and must use existing interest earnings from school funds to supplement salary increases (not replace them). The bill ensures unspent fund balances do not revert to general revenue and requires districts to deposit interest into reserves.

HJR 128 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval for most state and local taxes every 25 years after their initial implementation or last rate change. It mandates that taxes must be submitted to voters at the next general election following the 25-year period, with specific timing rules for taxes already in place. The amendment excludes taxes for bond payments or existing debt, and prohibits ballot summaries from labeling such tax votes as "not a tax increase." This would directly affect taxpayers and lawmakers by making most existing taxes subject to periodic voter re-approval.