Education Please

     Elvira Reyes’ article cleverly titled “If WD-40 or Duct Tape can't fix it, it's broke” is about the downfall of grade school education here in Texas. I love to see that people are writing and talking about the tragedy that we call education budget cuts in Texas. I think that everyone needs to be talking about this issue. A whole new  protest should be started to get everyone worked up and emotional about what’s happening to the education system in our state and it should be called, Educate Texas. Reyes points outs that Texas is ranked 43rd out of the 50 states in high school graduation stats and that we have the 2nd highest public school enrollment in the nation! The Texas government has a lot of work to do. I like the fact that Reyes talked about a small tech high school called Manor New Tech High. This is a school that has it’s stuff together. Reyes goes on to mention that "They received around 400 computers and laptops, engineering software, video cameras, and of course a Smart Board for every classroom. They are a Science Technology Engineering and Math academy that is entirely public."The graduation rate at that school is 100 percent. How is it that a lot of people know what needs to be done to create successful education but it isn’t being done on a larger scale? Oh yeah... Money and politics

Proud of Education?

    Texas economy ranked second in the nation exceeding $1 trillion in economic output. In 2010, Texas added more new jobs than any other state in the country. The Texas government is so proud of it’s contribution to the U.S. economy. I have to mention the opening statement on the website from The Office of the Governor Rick Perry because I believe it is fitting for my article. “Texas is a land of ongoing success and endless opportunity; Texans aren't too shy about telling people about it, either. It's not bragging if it's true, however, and the Lone Star State’s winning mix of low taxes, reasonable regulatory structure, fair court system and world-class workforce has been paying dividends in terms of press recognition, economic rankings and, most importantly, good jobs for hard-working Texans. Here is just some of the evidence supporting Texans’ contention that the Lone Star State is the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family.“  Jobs are very important for keeping our economy running,  feeding families and living a descent quality of life. State government officials are sitting on their high horses bragging about how well the Texas economy is doing and about all the jobs they have created, but in the mean time Texas’ public school system is being shoved into a dark closet with duck tape over its mouth, hoping that no body hears it’s cries.
    The Texas House announced that the state budget would be $156.4 billion, which is 16.6 percent below the current two year spending plan. Public education spending would drop $7 billion from current levels. But the "good" news, is that taxes will not increase and the $9.4 billion Rainy Day Fund will not be touched. The solution to the budget gap is reducing the pay for teachers, laying off teachers and increasing class sizes. In April, The House considered passing HB 400 which would allow school districts to accomplish those three tasks, thus leading to lower spending. Austin School Board President Mark Williams had planned on cutting 1,153 positions district wide which included 650 teachers. Thousands of Texas teachers have already been laid off this past year. With larger class sizes, students don't get the attentive teaching that children need to succeed. They become just another face in the crowd. Our children's education in Texas is suffering because the people in charge cannot get their priorities straight. How can you brag about low taxes when public education budgets are being cut dramatically? How can you brag that Texas is a great place to raise a family when your child isn't getting a good quality education? We should be bragging about how smart our children are and how much of a contribution they will make towards our country because they excel in math and science. The workforce might look good for now (not for teachers), but what about when our children are adults and they don’t know how to do anything except protest. What kind of a contribution can they make with out a sturdy platform of education.

Stage 6: Comment on a Colleague's Work

    M. Sandoval writes a blog called Texas Economy and Politics on Google Blogger. On Oct. 28, 2011 she wrote an entry titled “Personal Income Tax in Texas” in which she expresses her belief that Texas should indeed implement an income Tax. I for one enjoy not having that income tax taken out of my paycheck but after learning of all the budget cuts to public education, I would gladly accept an income tax here in Texas. The 2012-2013 budget for public education is being cut by $4 billion. That means more teachers will lose their jobs, class sizes will increase, programs will be cut and some schools will be closed all together.  Taxation in order to increase funding for public education is why I agree with implementing an income tax in Texas.

    Sandoval writes that the current tax system in Texas is regressive, which by definition is true. She also wrote, “Yet an individual’s income tax should be higher for higher-income individuals; therefore benefiting the rest of the population that does not enjoy the privilege of wealth.“, which I disagree with. I don’t believe a person should pay a higher percentage of taxes because they make more money. 7 percent of $50,000 is $3,500 in taxes compared to 7 percent of $10,000 which is $700. The person making more money ends up paying more in taxes anyway. Consequently they pay more in sales and property taxes as well. On the same note, individuals with children get a tax break for each child they have. So a person who has succeeded in working their way up from the bottom and has no children would end up paying a lot more in taxes to benefit individuals who might not even work but have several children.

  Sandoval concluded with the statement that it would benefit “ the rest of the population that does not enjoy the privilege of wealth“, which could have been left out. The article then went from implementing an income tax in order to benefit public education and health care to implementing an income tax in order to benefit people who don’t make as much money.

Vote NO On Prop 3

Early voting has started on the 10 proposals to be included as amendments to the Texas Constitution.


Proposition 3:  The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds of the State of Texas to finance educational loans to students.

     We need to vote no on Proposition 3. Supporters of this proposition argue that the state’s ability to issue student loans will cease. This is not true. The state will be allowed new bonds but Texas voters must approve each general obligation bond request first. Under the Hinson- Hazlewood College Student Loan Program, the state of Texas regularly issues bonds to raise funds for loans to college students. Presently, every 4-6 years the public gets to vote on whether or not the constitution will be amended in order to issue new bonds when the demand increases for student loans. So far, voters have approved a total of $1.86 billion in bonds for this program over the years. No one would disagree that it’s important for the state to invest in college education. Texas subsidizes the student loans, and of course, the students loans are payed off by the students.

    It is expected that the last $275.5 million of unissued bonds will be used up by the end of 2013. When this happens Texas voters must again approve the new general obligation bond request.  Proposition 3 would allow the state to issue new bonds without further voter approval to replace older bonds. This would take the right to vote on this matter out of the hands of the public, and the issuance of new student loan bonds would be set on autopilot to renew whenever the state sees fit. We are in an economic crisis right now because of excessive government spending. Government spending should be under closer scrutiny. We cannot vote yes on proposition 3.

Rick Perry and A Women's Health

What a Rick Perry Presidency Would Look Like for Women, written by Rachel Farris in her blog Mean Rachel on August 17, 2011.

    Rachel Farris makes it very obvious that she is not a fan of Rick Perry. In her blog, Mean Rachel, is an entry titled, What a Rick Perry Presidency Would Look Like for a Women. In it she opposes Rick Perry’s current and “would-be” policies on contraception, abortion, sonogram laws, and Texas’ poor education system. Perry’s current policies in Texas and the laws he would implement nation wide if he were elected president would directly effect the lives of women which would consequently raise the national birth rate and the growing number of children in America would suffer from the diminishing education system, which in Texas, under Perry’s watch, is one of the worst in the nation.
    With this blog entry, Rachel Farris is writing to women in general, but not excluding her male readers. The issues she talks about here directly and indirectly effect all Americans. Her first matter of business involves Perry’s approval of abstinence programs over sex and contraception education. Farris’ problem with this is that Perry bases his decision on his personal beliefs rather than studies and figures. In her blog, Farris posted a link to “a 2005 study which found teens in Texas were actually having more sex after undergoing an abstinence-only program” but she says, “Rick Perry still stands by the practice”. Farris’ second matter of business is with the new mandatory transvaginal sonogram that women who are 8 to 10 weeks pregnant and considering an abortion are required to get. The transvaginal sonogram displays a detailed image of the fetus and makes audible a real time heart beat .” Farris quoted Perry as saying “In Texas we have pursued policies to protect unborn children whenever possible.”  She argues that Texas is ranked highest in the nation of adults without high school diplomas and “Texas boasts another first in the nation in the percentage of children without health insurance and, in 2010, Texas tied with Mississippi for the highest percentage of workers employed in minimum-wage jobs”.
    I completely agree with Farris’ on this subject. Perry governs based on his personal beliefs rather than considering scientific studies and research which do not correspond with his policies. His beliefs aren’t even constant with his policies. He will protect unborn children whenever possible but once these children are grown he won’t protect or care for them.

Broken Promises to Texas Education

Politics aside, school funding is a real plight, is an editorial that hits close to home. Under funding of our schools here in Texas is a huge problem that everyone needs to get involved with. The future of our country is our children.  How is our children or our country suppose to flourish with out education? Education should be the first priority of politicians. The author of this editorial is intending to reach all Texans, not just those who work in education or who have children in school.  The argument is very clear and the evidence to back up the implications is in tact. In a special session in 2006 legislatures promised more state money to schools to replace local money, which frankly isn't there. During the regular session earlier this year the state reduced it’s obligation of state school districts by $4 billion. Schools like Hutto, Elgin and Taylor are “in high-growth suburban areas feeling the pinch of rapid enrollment and stagnant state assistance” (Editorial Board). Over 100 schools have banded together in a law suite against state legislature. And rightly so. The editorial goes on to say “the impact of the states financing and public education on the governor’s presidential aspirations is unclear. What is clear, however, is the short- and long-term impact on Texans affected by the state's educational product — and that would be everybody." 

I completely agree with the Editorial Board who wrote the article. Our graduation rate is falling, our classes are over crowded and our teachers are underpaid. The City of Hutto has built a second high school to accommodate the growing number of students. Unfortunately the city cannot afford to staff the new school, which is forced to sit finished and empty. Problems like this are rising all over the state. Our governor has moved past focusing on his state and has his eyes on a bigger prize.

Rick Perry mandated HPV vaccine for 12 year old girls?

 Seeing as Rick Perry is the front runner so far for the GOP presidential nomination, it is important to be informed about his policies. The article for which I embedded a link is an article about a policy Rick Perry mandated here in Texas. Perry issued a mandatory Human Papillomavirus vaccine for 12 year old girls. He said it was because "abstinence isn't as sure a prevention as a vaccine". The article disputes Perry's policy based on his contradicting views. According to this article, Perry "accepts the scientific consensus that it comes to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine that prevents the HPV virus that causes cervical and other cancers. But he has openly expressed doubts about the scientific consensus in the matter of evolution or the human role in global warming". The article became even more interesting when it pointed out that Perry's former chief of staff is a lobbyist for the vaccine's manufacturer, Merck. Hmmm... I wonder what exactly Perry is getting for his mandatory vaccine policy. Maybe financial contributions?  And the government expects us to believe that politicians aren't corrupt. Yeah right.

Rick Perry's HPV Vaccine Record Exposes Confusing Inconsistencies