Moody Center
Texas Children Are Being Left Behind
RECEIVED Thu., March 3, 2011
Dear Editor,
The problems Paul Krugman described in his op-ed column in The New York Times “Leaving Children Behind” are happening right now here in Austin!
My grandson, Isaac, goes to a very fine elementary school that was attended by his father – my son, Gabriel – and Isaac's uncle Travis. On Saturday a gentleman in his 80s, Walter Timberlake, told me that he, too, had gone to Pease Elementary – an exemplary school in continuous operation for 137 years! Sadly Austin ISD plans to close it along with eight additional Austin schools, laying off 1,200 teachers and support employees due to funding shortages!
Why? Because Rick Perry lied about the economy of Texas until after his re-election, surprise! We are really $27 billion behind! He refuses to accept the funded-mandate-infusion of federal money for the schools because Congressman Lloyd Doggett put a rider on the funding that it must not substitute for state funding. That federal money is intended to supplement the state education budget, not substitute for it! Does Rick Perry want the feds to come in and take over the operation as well as funding Texas public schools? It sure appears that way.
I believe that most Texans are willing to pay new taxes in support of education – if it's used for that! How about those "individuals," corporations, how much tax money do they contribute? Right now business real estate property transactions are hidden behind a Texas law, doggedly guarded in the "business" Legislature, which allows them to avoid paying school tax! Isn't it time that businesses step up to the plate and contribute to the education of future Texans like other property owners. These children could become their employees of the future. Shouldn't they willingly contribute something to their training?
The problems Paul Krugman described in his op-ed column in The New York Times “Leaving Children Behind” are happening right now here in Austin!
My grandson, Isaac, goes to a very fine elementary school that was attended by his father – my son, Gabriel – and Isaac's uncle Travis. On Saturday a gentleman in his 80s, Walter Timberlake, told me that he, too, had gone to Pease Elementary – an exemplary school in continuous operation for 137 years! Sadly Austin ISD plans to close it along with eight additional Austin schools, laying off 1,200 teachers and support employees due to funding shortages!
Why? Because Rick Perry lied about the economy of Texas until after his re-election, surprise! We are really $27 billion behind! He refuses to accept the funded-mandate-infusion of federal money for the schools because Congressman Lloyd Doggett put a rider on the funding that it must not substitute for state funding. That federal money is intended to supplement the state education budget, not substitute for it! Does Rick Perry want the feds to come in and take over the operation as well as funding Texas public schools? It sure appears that way.
I believe that most Texans are willing to pay new taxes in support of education – if it's used for that! How about those "individuals," corporations, how much tax money do they contribute? Right now business real estate property transactions are hidden behind a Texas law, doggedly guarded in the "business" Legislature, which allows them to avoid paying school tax! Isn't it time that businesses step up to the plate and contribute to the education of future Texans like other property owners. These children could become their employees of the future. Shouldn't they willingly contribute something to their training?
Best,
Frances Hans Morey
Frances Hans Morey
