A proposal to eliminate property tax decreases to fund public schools was delayed Thursday in the Senate Education Committee. The proposal was suppposed to be added to a routine school finance bill; instead, Sen. Sue Windels, D-Arvada, the sponsor of SB 199, said the tax freeze amendment would be debated when the bill gets to the Senate floor.

Windels said that some members of the legislature are still nervous about eliminating prospective tax cuts. Some members believe the idea violates the Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Others fear a backlash from voters. But Windels said a larger issue is disagreement as to how the additional money will be divided among the 178 school distircts. Freezing the tax rate has the strong backing of Gov. Bill Ritters. He hs warned of deep defiticits in state school funds in coming years additional revenue is found.