A coalition of education groups has dropped its lawsuit
against Tax Commissioner Tom Pelham. Pelham has now complied by recommending a two-cent
cut in the residential rate. But the battle over education funding is expected
to be a key issue in the 2009 legislative session.
Tax Commissioner Tom Pelham says he expects at least a 20
million dollar surplus this year in the state’s Education Fund. Pelham says rising property values over the past three
years is a major reason why the fund is doing better than the overall state
economy.