School finance plan foundering

Well, at least there were no spelling errors. And no one seemed to have a problem with the grammar.

But Gov. Rick Perry and legislators across the ideological spectrum heaped criticism Monday on the content and the character of the school finance and tax cut legislation scheduled to hit the floor of the Texas House today. Perry wants the payroll tax edited out. A coalition of Republicans and Democrats says it has enough votes to keep slot machines from crossing the state border.

And both Democrats and their allies in the social service advocacy realm said the legislation's tax cuts and tax increases amount to a reprogramming of "Robin Hood," robbing from the poor to give to the rich.

Taken together, the elements that various folks consider ill-advised would blow at least a $6 billion hole in the $8 billion plan if removed. House members will gather this morning to begin debating and revising the 372-page bill and its companion 12-page proposed constitutional amendment.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/tuesday/news_047904fd64bb11ef0089.html

Time to start over.

They punted the bill instead. And we all know what going into conference means right. The repukes control that so they'll stick it to the poor some more, plus add vouchers in for good measure.

Here's the statesman link on the latest:

House school finance debate falls apart, stripped bill passes
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/TX_XGR_School_Finance.html
(snip)
House debate fell apart earlier in the day as various measures, including video gambling and a payroll tax, were removed from the bill. The House voted to end debate and adopt the scaled down bill so it could advance to the Senate.

"I think where we go is we go over to the Senate and see what they have to offer," House Speaker Tom Craddick said after the House adjourned. "And then we go to conference like every other bill and see where we are and see where we are with additional money and how we fund it."
(/snip)

Sonia

Try LEADING for a change, Tom!

I guess you're such a lame duck with the pending indictments that no one is listening to you, eh Tom?

Hey...Perry gave us insurance reform. Tort reform. Medical malpractice reform.

Now he is going to give us education and school finance reform.

For some reason, I think we are going to get screwed.

Imagine that......

aka State Comptroller Carole Keeton McLellan Rylander Strayhorn (and a choice to be named later) any happier now?

Goodhair and Crash Craddick need to keep her on the reservation as she is the sheriff of "Nodding Ham" forest.

to support schools. Overall the Republicans running things seem to accept no responsibility for public education financing. All they really want to focus on are tax cuts.

I have no idea of where we are headed, but I have absolutely no faith in the political leadership.