The Minneapolis Public Schools 2008 Strong Schools Strong City referendum, a $60 Million per year for 8 years ($480 Million total) property tax levy will appear on the Nov. 4, 2008 general election ballot.

With plummeting enrollment, miserable test scores, and substandard curriculum, the Minneapolis Public Schools claim they need more money to pay for more programs in the desperate attempt to salvage a failing school system. The primary mission of schools must be to educate our children well, so the next generation can have hope for a better future. Minneapolis Public Schools should not be a public works/employment program, it should be for our children! This approximately 6% property tax increase, in the face of declining home property values, foreclosures and an economic recession will add even more financial burdens on Minneapolis homeowners and businesses.

CQE Minneapolis is a ballot issue committee formed to oppose this wasteful and unnecessary additional tax levy, and it will get the word out to every household and business in the city of Minneapolis encouraging citizens to vote “NO” on this levy referendum. We need to send a message to Minneapolis Public Schools to reduce its bloated bureaucracy and find ways to provide a quality education to Minneapolis children instead of continually asking for more money for substandard schools.