WACO (October 23, 2009)-Funding concerns of local school districts have drawn criticism of a recently passed state law.

Robinson superintendent Dr. Michael Hope says his district has more than $200,000 in debt, linked largely in part to HB1; a law that not only caps the tax rate increase a district can pass without voter approval, but also mandates a majority of property value increases go to the state, Hope tells News 10.

“The only other option House Bill 1 gives us is that tax rate election,” Hope said Thursday.

Robinson ISD is proposing a 13-cent tax increase for the November ballot.

What does that mean to the typical Robinson homeowner?
The proposed increase would affect each Robinson homeowner differently based upon the value of their home.

The annual tax rate on a $50,000 home in Robinson would go up $65 a year while the rate on a home valued at $300,000 would increase nearly $400 per year.

District 56 Representative Charles “Doc” Anderson tells News 10 HB1 is in place to protect the taxpayer, whom Anderson says is the ultimate decision maker, from unwarranted increases.

“If they [Robinson ISD] have some expenses they think are important to educate those kids properly, [the school] needs to convince the taxpayer in Robinson,” Anderson said.

Early voting on the Robinson Tax Ratification began Oct. 19 and continues until Oct. 30; the general election takes place on Nov. 3.

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Megan Fleetwood contributed to this story.