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
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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?"
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?"
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/stossel/story?id=1500338
Monday, August 25, 2008
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?
"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?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, August 22, 2008
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
