Tired of Renting your Home from the Government?

The House Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform chaired by Representative John Otto will meet on Tuesday August 19, at 11 a.m. at the Lonestar North Harris College Performing Arts Theatre located at 2700 W. W. Thorne (north of the Bush Continental Airport) in Houston, 77073.

The Senate Finance Committee, subcommittee on Property Appraisal and Revenue Caps, is slated to meet Wednesday, Aug 20 at 9 am in Austin at the Capitol, E1.028.

AFP encourages taxpayers to attend and provide legislators with your input and any property tax experiences you want to share with the committee. Remember that government goes to those who show up. It’s your government and your obligation as a citizen-taxpayer to get involved. If you believe your property taxes and appraisals are not fair, do something about it. Most public testimony is limited to 3 minutes and all you need do is sign up, and when called, introduce yourself and speak. More info found here.

AFP member and watchdog Jason Moore drove from Odessa to the August 12 hearing in Lubbock. He highlighted the relationship between higher property taxes and higher local government and school district spending. The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported, “Jason Moore said people have been conditioned into thinking fancy-looking schools will produce brighter minds. And so they put up with the excesses. ‘They think if we build a school out of all the gold bars in Fort Knox, their kids are going to come out little MENSA members,’ Moore said.” The Journal also quoted Gary Boren, former Lubbock city councilman, “I think our citizens - our residents in the Panhandle - are mad as hell about what's been going on with their appraisals and our property taxes.'

Another House committee hearing will be taking place in El Paso on Tuesday, August 26, at 1:00 p.m. in the El Paso Community College Board of Trustees Room #A200. The location is 9050 Viscount in El Paso, 79925.

Wondering where your promised property tax cut is? Read our latest blog post on the topic here.

Courtesy of the folks at Americans For Prosperity

What is the purpose of public schools?

Are they dependent on the satisfaction of parents?

Or do they demand that parents and society work harder and give more to satisfy them?

Let's see our current property tax system supports that parents and society work harder to give more to satisfy a failing public education system in the state of Texas.

Public education system problems

"The modern American educational system is filled with an assortment of problems. Many students are not learning much at all. Most students are graduating with less knowledge and capability than similar students in other industrialized countries. Classroom disruptions are surprisingly common. School violence is rampant, including the many violent incidents we all hear about in the news. Even violence on school buses is a tremendous problem.

What is the answer?

In general, the common approaches are to throw money at the problems, and to establish very broad guidelines and laws to solve individual problems of the system. Regarding performance issues, the teachers are generally blamed, and so better selection of teachers and better teacher training are publicly called for. Regarding violence, metal detectors and uniformed police officers roaming the halls are the common "solution." In addition, everyone demands newer, bigger, more advanced school complexes.

These are all bureaucratic attempts at solutions for problems that arise on a very individual basis. Essentially, some "expert" in an ivory tower somewhere believes he/she has a universal solution for a problem he/she never actually faced in a classroom. Such "experts" have no idea of the emotions that erupt in the classroom, including the teacher, when violent behavior begins. It is a peculiar and frustrating situation to be a teacher a few feet away from two fighting students, knowing that even touching either one could send you to jail. I doubt if many of the "experts" know that feeling.

Such "top-down" approaches to establishing a peaceful and safe and productive environment in the classroom have little chance of ever succeeding. Each student is an individual. Each teacher is an individual. Both should be treated like individuals, with whatever amount of respect they each deserve, rather than as cattle in enormous herds. You might as well take their names away now and just get them numbers, because the education system is essentially telling them that they have little importance as individuals, and they better behave like the rest of the herd if they want to avoid being in trouble. Is THIS the way young people should be "controlled"? I hope not. Such authoritarian and bureaucratic structures and attitudes diminish whatever creativity and zest everyone brings to the table. Don't I remember that this country was BUILT on the creativity and diversity of early settlers? So why should we move in directions of schools being "armed camps" where any behavior that is "different" is subject to question and doubt and possible punishment?"

Stossel on problems with public schools

EducationNews.org today links to a column reviewing a recent special report on "20/20" by John Strossel. He had a provocative title: "Are American Kids Stupid?" I missed the report. From the column it looks like it was a good report. John Strossel covered some of the problems with public education. He mentions how when American students enter public schools they are comparable with students in other countries, but over time they fall behind.His solution is to have some kind of voucher system. I think vouchers would be a great improvement.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/stossel/story?id=1500338

545 people

Some of you may have seen the piece by Charlie Reese and if not a short version:

"Have you ever wondered why, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, why we have deficits? Have you ever wondered why, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, why we have inflation and high taxes?"

It is interesting that the President of the United States gets blamed for all these deficits, but he has no authority to spend a dime of taxpayer money. The President's authority is limited to proposing a budget to Congress. The President cannot force the Congress to accept his proposed budget. Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations rest in the hands of the House of Representatives. The President has no authority over the tax code, fiscal policy, etc. These items also rest squarely on the shoulders of the members of Congress via the Constitution.

"545 human beings (Senate and House members) out of 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague the United States." Special interest groups are exempt because the 545 members of Congress have the right and the power to reject any and all offers by special interest groups. It is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he/she votes.

"If the tax code is unfair, it's because Congress wants it to be unfair. If the budget is in the red, then that is the way Congress wants it. If the Marines are in Iraq, it is because Congress wants them to be in Iraq. If Congress members do not receive Social Security, but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it is because Congress wants it that way."

Congress is employed by you, do you have the gumption to properly manage your employees?

Contradictions in Texas public education

The public school system in Texas if filled with contradictions. The number of people to be educated is not necessarily related to the sources of the wealth that can provide sound programs. In general, the areas with the largest number of students are lowest in per capita ability to pay. Political formulas for school funding will no longer do. Equitable allocation of school tax funds is a greater problem than equal education for all.

How do we save money on education?

Sixteen years of public education, beginning at age five and ending at age twenty-one, is a luxury offered in no other nation. Why is it the other nations have greater success with educating children? Could our problem be that we are trying to provide more rather than concentrate on quality in a shorter period of time. Graduation from high school used to be at the age of 16. Do we need to return to that model?

"Very little motivation can be generated by educators when they require all students to be subjected to a compromised process geared solely to produce skills necessary for college entrance." The answer to a better education system is instilling the desire to learn. This used to be the basic mission of every teacher. Then standardized test came along and destroyed the mission of a teacher.

This nation enjoys the highest standard of living in the world. However, the record reveals a greater number of students who despise all forms of learning. The reason: Learning is no longer fun! These students remain in school and possibly spend their time flaunting the learning process by willful disobedience, violence, and rebellion. Students who fail to reach a sixth grade ability to read, write, and compute mathematics require massive remedial programs throughout the entire learning process. These remedial programs have become a vast waste of public education funds. 30% of high school graduates attending higher education now have to attend remedial classes as part of their higher education program. Taxpayer funds wasted on a high school education.

Public education's goal must be to make possible a productive and worthwhile life for every citizen. Learning is continuous throughout a person's lifetime. Statistics indicate that too many 'uneducated' adults return to the classroom. This shows a drastic need to revamp the public education system in Texas.

Today's 'wacko' is tomorrow's normal

The other day I was thinking about this "carbon footprint analyst" ordeal during this years Democratic National Convention. Is this something that has been created to provide new jobs on future government payrolls?

If you think about the possible aspects then it has possibility to lead to possible real changes in the way we act in our lives each day. If you think about all the changes of the past and see where we stand today then you get my meaning. A tether use to be used to keep gestating sows from romping around a hog barn. Then someone decided they could use a tether to tow things with, and the safety industry adopted tethers to keep workers from sliding off roofs. So, today's wacko is tomorrow's normal!

Can you imagine what our country would look like if we resisted all change? If we would not have adapted to new products and methods, we'd possibly be out of business. When there is no business there is no jobs, and without jobs we can't keep this capitalist machine grinding. Because of adaptability we are able to progress forward. While we progress forward we must be sure not to penalize those who invent and create jobs. Some are cut out for inventing and others are cut out for producing by serving as workers.

An old wise man once said: "Be not first when the new is tried, but be not last to cast the old aside." Progress leads to change - good or bad is better than stagnant!

Has the PISD really changed? Has Camp County government really changed? Has Pittsburg city government really changed? Changing personnel can sometime lead to change, but often it takes personnel with new ideas and one not afraid to challenge the establishment in order to bring real progress.

Today's wacko is tomorrow's normal!

UT Poll on K-12 public school education

"A new poll from the University of Texas' Government Department and the Texas Politics project finds Texans are underwhelmed by their public schools.

The pollsters asked what Texans thought of the "quality of K-12 public school education." Result? 49 percent said "not very good" or "terrible," 44 percent said "good" or "excellent," and -- remarkably -- 5% didn't know.

Since 1997, public school spending has risen more than 50 percent, and SAT scores have dropped. And for some reason people are upset...

So the solution is more funding, right?

Wrong.

Mr. and Mrs. Texas overwhelmingly rejected the "increase funding" option and instead said there needs to be a lot more accountability."

Mr. Sullivan and his group continue to keep us informed on the issues.

Tax rates and SAT scores

Wichita Falls Independent School District has announced they're going to live with the existing tax rate. Of course, their revenues increased $5 million between 2005 and 2007, the same time student enrollment was dropping.

One of those reasons might explain why the school board is hiking the superintendent’s salary from $175,000 to $190,000 per year. Right? It certainly could not be because their SAT scores dropped like a rock over the last 10 years… So, why is he getting a pay raise? And why aren't the people getting their money back - after all it appears they got a bad hamburger!

Thanks to the folks at Empower Texans who keep track of all this good wasteful spending.....................

Wonder if they would have an interest in a review of the PISD?

Taxes or turf.....................

The good news is, in Abilene you don’t have to choose: you get both!

The Wylie Independent School District announced recently they can afford new artificial turf for the football field, are underway with a $2.8 million project for a new press box with elevators and a fantastic 55-foot arch welcoming you into the stadium. But, sadly, there just isn’t money in the budget for, you know, education.

So they are hiking taxes.

Courtesy of the folks at Empower Texans

Hamburgers and education

"If you serve a child a rotten hamburger in America, federal, state and local agencies will investigate you, summon you, close you down, whatever. But if you provide a child with a rotten education, nothing happens, except that you're liable to be given more money to do it with. Well, we've discovered that money alone isn't the answer." - Ronald Wilson Reagan

Obama the new robin hood

Exxon Mobil, which on Thursday reported the highest quarterly profit ever and is the main target of any "windfall" tax surcharge. Its profits are at record highs, and its tax bills are at record highs too. Between 2003 and 2007, Exxon paid $64.7 billion in U.S. taxes.

That sounds like a government windfall!


"Mr. Obama's "emergency" plan, announced on Friday, doesn't offer any clarity. To pay for "stimulus" checks of $1,000 for families and $500 for individuals, the Senator says government would take "a reasonable share" of oil company profits."


One would think that $64.7 billion is already a reasonable share of oil company profits! If they decide to take from the oil companies then who will be next, Google had a 25.3% profit increase, Abbott Laboratories had a 110% gain in profits, and Berkshire Hathaway-Warren Buffett's outfit pulled in $11 billion last year, up 29%. If they take from the oil companies then someone will be next, are you prepared to pony up more dough?

Do we expect oil companies to be in business to lose money? Just shows how much Obama and his team really know about the world of business. It is your decision in November.

School districts across the state are claiming the need for higher taxes due to the increased gasoline prices and utilities costs. A good business manager would have saw this coming and started planning long before now. Most schools have a lot of overpaid overhead and this is the reason they can't meet the budget. Now they want to blame it on the higher fuel and utility costs. Guess they figure the family budget is immune to these higher fuel and utility costs!

It is like 'give it to Mikee he eats anything' and schools are saying 'give it to the taxpayers they pay for anything'. Educrats need to wake-up from that 'bonding' feeling and come to grips that the taxpayer is tired of getting 'hosed'!

If superintendents were elected positions - NOT one would stand a chance for reelection. Then again wasted money, low test scores, high dropout rates, etc. might be considered the norm.

Public school revenues have grown 60 percent

Since 2000, public school revenues have grown 60%, but they keep screaming they don't have enough. Population has only increased by 15%, so a 60% increase in revenue should be enough if you are taking care of your money. Sports complexes, fine art centers, and half empty buildings are destroying the school budget. Educrats are terrible business managers! Most can't handle their own household budgets much less the budget for a school system.

"Jesus Chavez, the school chief in Round Rock, is quoted by the Associated Press as complaining that he just cannot raise taxes enough under current law to cover salaries and inflation. Maybe that's because his school district has an average administrative salary of $86,234 per year. Revenues in Round Rock ISD are up 75 percent since 2000, even though the number of pupils has increased just 30 percent."

I really like the comment by Texas School Alliance, Richard Middleton, efforts to force property tax relief efforts "takes power away from local school boards." And gives that power to the taxpayers. Mr. Middleton, the taxpayers are now fighting against the establishment for which you help create. Taxpayers lost control long ago and have now decided to take back control. Mr. Middleton and his educrate buddies have build 'shrines of nonsense' at the expense of taxpayers. Schools are to educate children and not rob property owner's of their property that was promised as part of the American dream. Your job is to provide the 3'Rs and do it at a reasonable cost. Mr. Middleton, you guys are not holding up your end of the bargain!

Where your education money goes

Friends at EmpowerTexans call it Inspired Waste..........................

Teachers are spending tax dollars for retreats at the Gaylord Texan resort and convention center in nearby Grapevine. They'll be staying at the expensive convention complex, hearing from motivational speakers, and blowing a big wad of cash intended to raise test scores. It is just amazing that it takes a venue like this to inspire people who are suppose to love what they do in order to do their job (guess someone has to pay for their family vacation). Then again one must ask - Is raising test scores the primary objective of a teacher? The job of a teacher is the education of students! Forget the test scores and let teachers teach, and you want have to waste taxpayer dollars at places like the Gaylord Texan resort getting teachers to focus on improving test scores.

What ever happened to the concept of the Region Service Centers providing this type of motivational training? Guess the service centers are a lost cause as well - most are run by retired superintendents who could not fulfill their original responsibilities.

"With all the administration buildings, sports stadiums, complexes and performing arts centers, one wonders why these bureaucratic pep rallies cannot be held on district-owned property." Guess the use of these facilities for these type of activities would justify the need for such taxpayer fund waste. Then again educrats would not get that 'bonding' feeling!

PISD and new mowing equipment

Now that the mowing contract seems to be settled - at least awarded. What will Twilight Super do with the mowing equipment the PISD purchased? What a waste of good money!