By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The Chancellor of St. Louis Community College says the school might try again to pass a tax increase that was rejected yesterday, but not before a lot of discussion.
The tax hike would have brought in $30 million more each year to spend on upgrading old buildings and building new ones and to fund programs.
Chancellor Henry Shannon says he thought the need for the money had been well explained, but the focus now is to find other ways to pay for a few projects.
"We had in the city an allied health facility planned, along with a new William Harrison center in north City, near Vashon High School," Shannon said. "Those two projects are critical for the city and for its growth and serving the work force."
The tax increase passed in St. Louis City but failed in the County.
Shannon says the college's trustees will probably discuss whether to put the tax question before voters again and whether tuition also might have to go up, although Shannon adds he's not too keen on that idea.
St.
Louis Community Colleges - Prop EJ |
|||
County | For | Against | |
St. Louis City | 13,454 | 9,928 | |
St. Louis County | 45,821 | 55,395 | |
Franklin County | 977 | 1,925 | |
Jefferson County | 176 | 160 | |
TOTAL | 60,428 (47%) |
67,408 (53%) |