Time To Rally for Education

With state lawmakers contemplating a classroom-closing budget, the Save Texas Schools alliance is launching one last-ditch effort to convince legislators to limit the damage to education. They’re asking supporters to visit lawmakers in their Capitol offices on Saturday, May 21, between 10am and 4pm. The aim is to persuade lawmakers to use some of the Rainy Day Fund for education. The group had its first big gathering on March 12, when more than 12,000 parents, students, and education advocates from around the state assembled on the Capitol lawn. However, little has improved under the dome since then; both drafts of the budget fail to hit even current spending levels (the Senate’s by $4 billion, the House’s by double that), and there is little sign of any resolution. (See “Education Funding May Require Special Session.”) The alliance is not alone in its efforts. Earlier this week, the CEOs of the “Metro 8” chambers of commerce – representing the business communities of the state’s eight largest cities – were working the House lobby in an attempt to find some extra classroom cash. For more on the rally, visit www.savetxschools.org.

This article appears in May 20 • 2011.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.