What major change regarding school operating property taxes was instituted by Proposal A?

Proposal A, enacted in 1994, introduced significant reforms to the way school operating property taxes are handled in Michigan. One of the most notable changes was the establishment of a cap on school operating property taxes at 18 mills. This reform was aimed at creating a more equitable funding system for schools across the state, as it limited the amount that could be levied uniformly for educational purposes.

The move to set the levy cap at 18 mills was intended to reduce disparities in school funding that had stemmed from varying local property values and tax rates. By instituting this limit, Proposal A enhanced accountability and predictability in school funding while ensuring that no district could impose excessively high operating taxes compared to others. This change fundamentally altered the landscape of school funding in Michigan, transitioning away from reliance on local property taxes and towards a more balanced approach.

In contrast, the other choices reflect misunderstandings of the impact of Proposal A. School operating taxes were not eliminated completely, nor increased for most districts, nor tied directly to local property tax rates in a manner that allowed for uncontrolled variation. The focus of Proposal A was to standardize the taxation for school funding to a maximum level of 18 mills, thereby creating a more uniform system across Michigan's school districts.