SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich has vetoed a measure that would allow local voters to decide if they want to support schools with higher sales taxes.

"I recognize and appreciate the hard work of all the sponsors in passing this legislation, and share their support for school construction funding. However, such projects should be funded through a statewide capital plan, not a sales tax increase," the governor said in his veto message.

But the governor and legislature have been at odds for five years over what form a statewide capital plan should take.

This is one of the reasons local lawmakers pushed to find a local alternative for funding school construction.

The bill's sponsors Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, and Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, expressed disappointment over the veto, saying they will push to override.

"I agree with what the governor is saying that this should be a state responsibility -- not a local one. But still, if local taxpayers vote to pay higher taxes, why not let them?" Sen. Jacobs said.

Rep. Verschoore said he worries that the governor's legislative ally, Senate President Emil Jones, won't allow the overrides to be voted upon in that chamber.

The bill would enable Illinois counties, with voter approval, to tack up to 1 percent more in local sales taxes. The money would be earmarked for school construction, maintenance and renovation projects in that county.

Rep. Verschoore based the legislation on a nearly 10-year-old law in Iowa that has enabled counties there to raise millions of dollars for local school projects.

Local school officials were disappointed with the governor's veto.

Barry Green, East Moline superintendent, had previously served in an Iowa school district that instituted the local-option tax. He said it worked, and was popular with voters.

"One strength of the proposal is that it give the authority to the local voters as to determine whether that money is assessed or not," he said. "It generated a lot of good money and helped out with the pressure on property owners. "

Don Achelpohl, superintendent of the Orion school district, has learned not to bank on Springfield.

"We don't put too much faith in what the legislature or governor are really agreeing to do until we see it in action," he said. "We're really developing a lack of trust."