Motion or movement: education funding

Rich Miller's syndicated column today...

Indeed, when the governor was asked last week about Meeks’ property tax sunset idea, he said he opposed it. When asked repeatedly by reporters if he had any funding reform ideas of his own, he dodged the questions.

The property tax sunset idea was opposed by just about every school group and union when it was introduced in the House earlier this year. But the Illinois Federation of Teachers is taking a second look at the plan in the wake of the latest developments. That doesn’t mean it will actually pass, but the proposal may have a little more life in it than some of us may have initially expected.

And if nothing happens? Well, the governor is off the hook because he called the special sessions. Blagojevich can revert to his favorite game of blaming House Speaker Michael Madigan for all the troubles in the world.

And Meeks will have demonstrated to his allies and the community at large that he has the influence to drive the state’s agenda. He might even be able to use this as an eventual springboard to higher office.

In other words, like always, education funding reform could turn out to be a “win-win” for politicians, and a “lose-lose” for students and parents.

Let’s hope not.

Read the whole thing!