Among the 12 propositions on the Municipality of Anchorage’s General Election ballot, props 1 and 9 drew the most public attention. Prop 1 asked for voter approval of $79,460,000 in general obligation bonds to pay for capital improvements for the Anchorage School District. Prop 2 asked for voter approval of a special tax levy to provide funding for the Anchorage School District’s operational costs.
According to the unofficial results, the majority voted “no” on both proposals by a slim margin. Prop 1 received only 123 more “no” votes than “yes” votes, causing a 49%/ 51% split. Prop 2 was also quite close with 378 more “no” votes than “yes” votes, also resulting in a 49%/51% split.
Mayor LaFrance had postponed her 3% sales tax proposal to get her special tax levy for ASD through the Assembly, claiming that funding for the municipality’s public school is of the upmost importance.
The election results reveal the issue of public school funding remains a polarizing issue for Anchorage voters. However, the majority of voters have decided to say “no more” to what many perceive as wasteful spending habits by the Anchorage School District.
