Student Senate passed a resolution last night supporting State Issue 2 "in light of no better alternatives," according to the resolution.

On May 5, voters will decide the fate of Issue 2, which would raise Ohio's sales tax by one cent to provide more funding for primary and secondary education. The tax is expected to generate $1.1 billion, half of which will relieve property taxes.

In spring 1997, the Ohio Supreme Court declared Ohio's method of funding schools through property taxes unconstitutional. The court gave the Ohio legislature one year to find a different solution. Issue 2 is the plan the legislators created.

Some senators expressed disapproval with Issue 2.

If Issue 2 does not pass with voters, the next logical place to find money is through higher-education funding cuts, treasurer Erik Roush said.

Higher education represents 50 percent of the state budget that is not fixed or mandated, such as prisons or Medicare, he said. The worst case scenario is that the legislators could cut nearly $19 million from higher education.

Issue 2 is a regressive tax that would hurt students, said Tony Eufinger, off-campus housing senator.

"This tax hits students every time they go Uptown, every time they buy something," he said.

While Issue 2 is not the best solution to the school funding problem, the senate needed to take a stand one way or the other, said Ron Minto, off-campus housing commissioner and sponsor of the resolution.

"It is a cop-out by legislators," he said. "But if we didn't support it, that's a cop-out, too."