Blog Response: School Funding

In response to Ramblings of an Austinite’s blog on School funding I have to start by saying that I don’t believe there’s much about public schools that doesn’t confuse Texas lawmakers. Half the time it’s a process of the right hand not know what the left hand is doing (incidental pun). But, I digress, I have to agree with the comment in the article “that this [Senate Bill 3] is a backdoor attack on poorer districts that will slash nonessential programs “. Whenever it comes to cutting budgets in schools the first heads on the chopping block belong to the arts. If this does go through it will be another case of dividing the children of Texas into the haves and the have-nots. The last thing children in these circumstances need is to be told that they do not merit having an opportunity to study art because of where they live or who they are.

There’s always talk about funding, funding and more funding. As it stands are schools are basically funded by smokers, gamblers and sales taxes. It’s time these law makers stopped depending on sales taxes to keep this state afloat. It’s not working, unless of course you fall in the “I make over $150,000 a year” bracket. I think a state income tax would be a healthy step in the right direction. The entire system needs to be reformed, let’s face it. But, I can see both sides of the isle on issues of taxing. Yes, people do need to be more responsible for their families and their families well being. But, you can’t do that if percentage wise you pay more taxes than the CEO of “Big Oil”.

I have to believe that there is a real solution to this education crisis, my kids are in the system and I bust my backside every day making sure that I pick up where public education leaves off. It all comes down to personal responsibility but not just in taking care of your house but in paying your fair share of taxes to make sure all the children in this state receive the education they rightfully deserve.