ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Next year’s big debate over how to reshape the Minnesota tax system will include a serious discussion about school reliance on property tax levies.

That’s if incoming Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk gets his way.

Bakk says he wants to minimize the need for schools to go to local taxpayers to fill in funding gaps. He hasn’t offered a specific proposal for scaling back the current referendum-based system without costing schools.

Minnesota Public Radio News reported Monday that Bakk’s desire for change is rooted in a belief that levies have put districts across the state on unequal footing.

Ninety percent of Minnesota districts have such levies in place.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton has signaled his intention to put a major tax package on the table in January.

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