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.