Oh, heaven save us from the AARP and their minions (aka Rock the Vote) - they'll certainly unleash the hounds now that Governor Perry hasn't backed off his assertion that Social Security is a Ponzi scheme that is designed to deceive the young. And before the chattering class on the right comes after me for daring to mention Rick Perry (and agreeing with him, on this issue especially) - right-wing darling Congressman Paul Ryan was already there on this issue and hey, he needs allies.
If you're under 40 and still believe that you'll get Social Security benefits equal to what you paid in, or that the system doesn't need serious reform immediately, I'd like to direct you elsewhere. This is not the blog you're looking for. Social Security is expected to cost $103.2 trillion over the next 75 years, with only about half of that funded. That doesn't address the existing shortfall (around $13.4 trillion as of 2006) and it doesn't take into account any more financial snafus, recessions, or significant federal revenue loss.
Perry called Social Security a Ponzi scheme - so let's consult Wikipedia. "A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to separate investors, not from any actual profit earned by the organization, but from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors. The Ponzi scheme usually entices new investors by offering returns other investments cannot guarantee, in the form of short-term returns that are either abnormally high or unusually consistent. The perpetuation of the returns that a Ponzi scheme advertises and pays requires an ever-increasing flow of money from investors to keep the scheme going."
What exactly is Social Security? Essentially, you pay "as-you-go" through FICA taxes from your paycheck and your employer's contribution. The money that disappears from your paycheck goes to fund liabilities owed currently retired people, not saved somewhere for your retirement.
I think Perry is dead on the money in his assessment of Social Security, and is quite right to bring it up in a presidential campaign (and not when he's exactly guaranteed the nomination, much less the White House - that's ballsy). Oh, he'll be called a panderer and a tea party whore and worse - but this isn't a new issue that materialized because the tea party wanted it to. None of the financial issues that are discussed more openly now (even on the pages of Newsweek!) are new. It's just that the koolaid isn't working so well anymore.
Traditionally, this third rail of politics could nuke an otherwise healthy candidacy, and it certainly cowed many a federal elected official. But real, actual, active reform is necessary, for precisely the reason Perry has stated. Young people in this country should be furious - they should be demanding change in one loud voice. They are instead dumbed down and kept placated. If it takes the likes of Rick Perry to bring it to the forefront of the national conversation, so be it. I'm a little tired of waiting.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Veterans, my mom, and Lou Gehrig
Labels:
admin,
lou gehrig's disease
I've been off the grid for the last week and more because my mom, Lillian Connole, passed away on August 19. She was suffering from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, for the last three years.
My mother was a stay-at-home mom who made a point of instilling a strong sense of civic duty with each of us kids (I'm the oldest of four). She was a Vietnam-era veteran of the US Navy, and one heck of a cook. That's the quickest way for me to tell you about her, BDB readers, though what I have to say and remember about my mom could take over an entire blog on its own. I think, though, it is an appropriate use of this space to explain what happened to her.
ALS is a horrifying disease, a long goodbye as terrible as Alzheimer's and far less well-known. The cause is totally unknown (though some researchers at Northwestern think they may have found a major clue) and there is no cure or even real treatment. It is nearly impossible to diagnose correctly, as some diseases like MS can mimic it, and there is no tumor or blood anomaly to detect. Every so often, people with ALS live for decades once diagnosed (Stephen Hawking suffers from it). Much more often, ALS leaves its victims helpless to fend off such common causes of death as choking or malnutrition, and once diagnosed the life expectancy for most patients is 3 to 5 years. For unknown reasons, ALS strikes military veterans at a greater rate than other populations in the United States - Gulf War veterans in particular, but research has given significant reason to believe exposure to Agent Orange and ALS in Vietnam veterans is related. As a result, in 2008 Congress extended VA treatment and coverage to all veterans diagnosed with ALS.
Since there is no way to really know why veterans have an increased chance of developing ALS, and because the disease itself has a long history of attacking at random, I believe the best way to combat it is through multiple fronts. The Muscular Dystrophy Association does a lot of work with ALS patients (so easy to help these days, too - right now, Randall's grocery stores are collecting donations when you pay for your groceries, and one dollar on top of your bill is a great way to contribute). There is, obviously, the ALS Association, which coordinates a lot of fundraising for cure and treatment research and provides a tremendous resource for caregivers as well as patients. My mother supported Paralyzed Veterans of America for years, and received their help and support upon her diagnosis - members of that group conducted her twelve-gun salute at her burial. There is also 4-ALS, the partnership Major League Baseball has coordinated to raise funds for research.
As many as 30,000 Americans have this disease at any given time. My mother was just one of them. If you can spare even $5 to help this cause, to give a little more hope and comfort to those whose lives are increasingly bereft of it, I would greatly appreciate it. My sisters and I have started a Walk to Defeat ALS team called "Lillian's Bronx Bombers" and you can donate to the team's effort here.
My mother was a stay-at-home mom who made a point of instilling a strong sense of civic duty with each of us kids (I'm the oldest of four). She was a Vietnam-era veteran of the US Navy, and one heck of a cook. That's the quickest way for me to tell you about her, BDB readers, though what I have to say and remember about my mom could take over an entire blog on its own. I think, though, it is an appropriate use of this space to explain what happened to her.
ALS is a horrifying disease, a long goodbye as terrible as Alzheimer's and far less well-known. The cause is totally unknown (though some researchers at Northwestern think they may have found a major clue) and there is no cure or even real treatment. It is nearly impossible to diagnose correctly, as some diseases like MS can mimic it, and there is no tumor or blood anomaly to detect. Every so often, people with ALS live for decades once diagnosed (Stephen Hawking suffers from it). Much more often, ALS leaves its victims helpless to fend off such common causes of death as choking or malnutrition, and once diagnosed the life expectancy for most patients is 3 to 5 years. For unknown reasons, ALS strikes military veterans at a greater rate than other populations in the United States - Gulf War veterans in particular, but research has given significant reason to believe exposure to Agent Orange and ALS in Vietnam veterans is related. As a result, in 2008 Congress extended VA treatment and coverage to all veterans diagnosed with ALS.
Since there is no way to really know why veterans have an increased chance of developing ALS, and because the disease itself has a long history of attacking at random, I believe the best way to combat it is through multiple fronts. The Muscular Dystrophy Association does a lot of work with ALS patients (so easy to help these days, too - right now, Randall's grocery stores are collecting donations when you pay for your groceries, and one dollar on top of your bill is a great way to contribute). There is, obviously, the ALS Association, which coordinates a lot of fundraising for cure and treatment research and provides a tremendous resource for caregivers as well as patients. My mother supported Paralyzed Veterans of America for years, and received their help and support upon her diagnosis - members of that group conducted her twelve-gun salute at her burial. There is also 4-ALS, the partnership Major League Baseball has coordinated to raise funds for research.
As many as 30,000 Americans have this disease at any given time. My mother was just one of them. If you can spare even $5 to help this cause, to give a little more hope and comfort to those whose lives are increasingly bereft of it, I would greatly appreciate it. My sisters and I have started a Walk to Defeat ALS team called "Lillian's Bronx Bombers" and you can donate to the team's effort here.
Friday, August 19, 2011
HD 149 opening salvo, and WilCo attorney race
Labels:
hd 149,
williamson county
One person in the new HD 149 has decided to at least file a treasurer report with the Texas Ethics Commission. That would be Ted Pataki, one of the Republicans whose name has come up in several different places over the last couple of months (he's also listed under "Texans for Pataki").
So that kicks off the field up in Williamson County's newest seat. The best list of rumored candidates is still in this Williamson County Conservative post from July 18. Summer is coming to an end, whether the heat ends with it or not, and as Labor Day approaches I would expect to see a few more candidates come forward (or, rumors debunked).
Meanwhile, in what promises to be quite the battle in Williamson County, commissioners' court legal advisor Hal Hawes has announced his candidacy for Williamson County Attorney against current county attorney Jana Duty. The Republican primary is the one to watch in WilCo, and this one promises to be a doozy, with the internal politics heating up daily.
These are the only local races with major movement right now; I expect Travis County to get fun soon, since there's already been a shot fired in the race for Travis County District Attorney (a former district judge, Democrat Charlie Baird, has launched an exploratory committee, complete with an open letter in the Austin Chronicle to Travis County Democrats spelling out his case against current DA Rosemary Lehmberg). More "wait and see" as campaign season marches on!
Bleeding maroon
Labels:
baylor,
higher education,
texas a/m
I went to a Sunbelt Conference school, and don't really have a dog in the hunt here, but I have to say something about the Texas A&M controversy, because it has escalated beyond reason. If you don't really pay attention to college football, well, now might be a good time to start.
Earlier this week, the Southeast Conference board decided not to offer TAMU a spot in the conference. Some people think this was a "CYA" move on the SEC's part. Maybe, maybe not. Then, the TAMU board of regents met and decided they weren't interested in moving right now. The Texas House Higher Education Committee meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, to "discuss the matter," was promptly cancelled. So, end of the story, right?
Aggies take their football very seriously, like the good Texans they are. Legislative inboxes were flooded last week and this week with demands and pleas for the Legislature to just let TAMU does as it wants. Now here's where my issue lies.
The Legislature can't do anything. Not right now, for sure, and probably not long-term either. There is a lot of concern from some of the other Big 12 schools (UT not being one of them) that TAMU leaving the conference could cause a ripple effect and devastate the rest of the conference. So, there's a little bit of pressure going on from alums of those other schools to "do something." A Higher Education Committee hearing would have been something, alright - a dog-and-pony show. There wasn't a thing they could do. TAMU could have its state funding threatened, but the Legislature's hands are largely tied there, since TAMU is one of only two schools that the state is constitutionally bound to fund through the Permanent University Fund. You're looking at 2013 before anything could happen (no special session for this issue will be called while you have an Aggie governor running for president, people), and even then, it would be highly unlikely.
None of this seems to matter to the diehard, though, who are insistent that TAMU should be "left alone." While there really isn't anything the Legislature could feasibly do concerning a conference move, I wonder at the hypocrisy - leave the university alone, sure, until budget-writing time. Then you'd better pony up the cash right quick.
It is beginning to seem like this issue won't just die. News hit the internet today that Baylor University president Ken Starr may be threatening legal action if the SEC offers TAMU a contract; earlier this week, rumors spread that a Waco Republican club held a vote on whether its members though TAMU should stay in the Big 12, and 70% said "yes" (though, it isn't clear if there were many Aggies present in Baylor's home turf for the vote). On Aggie fan forums, most of which are locked to the public without signing up, fans are getting more riled up as the days pass. They've begun posting Legislative responses, too, in what could be taken as an effort to expose those who may or may not be "loyal" to the Aggie cause. So the question now is, what role will this play in campaigns, especially in those around the Bryan-College Station area? Will it come up in the Higher Ed committee members' campaigns? Does it affect the vote at all, if this drags out long-term?
Frankly, I don't believe it should be a campaign issue and I'll be sorely disappointed in any candidate or campaign that makes it one. It's bad enough that it is shaping up to be Ken Starr (a prominent Republican) vs. John Sharp (prominent Democrat and TAMU's chancellor-to-be).
Last bit for thought - Baylor plays TAMU in College Station on October 15. Think the fans on both sides can keep their ire out of Kyle Field?
Earlier this week, the Southeast Conference board decided not to offer TAMU a spot in the conference. Some people think this was a "CYA" move on the SEC's part. Maybe, maybe not. Then, the TAMU board of regents met and decided they weren't interested in moving right now. The Texas House Higher Education Committee meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday, to "discuss the matter," was promptly cancelled. So, end of the story, right?
Aggies take their football very seriously, like the good Texans they are. Legislative inboxes were flooded last week and this week with demands and pleas for the Legislature to just let TAMU does as it wants. Now here's where my issue lies.
The Legislature can't do anything. Not right now, for sure, and probably not long-term either. There is a lot of concern from some of the other Big 12 schools (UT not being one of them) that TAMU leaving the conference could cause a ripple effect and devastate the rest of the conference. So, there's a little bit of pressure going on from alums of those other schools to "do something." A Higher Education Committee hearing would have been something, alright - a dog-and-pony show. There wasn't a thing they could do. TAMU could have its state funding threatened, but the Legislature's hands are largely tied there, since TAMU is one of only two schools that the state is constitutionally bound to fund through the Permanent University Fund. You're looking at 2013 before anything could happen (no special session for this issue will be called while you have an Aggie governor running for president, people), and even then, it would be highly unlikely.
None of this seems to matter to the diehard, though, who are insistent that TAMU should be "left alone." While there really isn't anything the Legislature could feasibly do concerning a conference move, I wonder at the hypocrisy - leave the university alone, sure, until budget-writing time. Then you'd better pony up the cash right quick.
It is beginning to seem like this issue won't just die. News hit the internet today that Baylor University president Ken Starr may be threatening legal action if the SEC offers TAMU a contract; earlier this week, rumors spread that a Waco Republican club held a vote on whether its members though TAMU should stay in the Big 12, and 70% said "yes" (though, it isn't clear if there were many Aggies present in Baylor's home turf for the vote). On Aggie fan forums, most of which are locked to the public without signing up, fans are getting more riled up as the days pass. They've begun posting Legislative responses, too, in what could be taken as an effort to expose those who may or may not be "loyal" to the Aggie cause. So the question now is, what role will this play in campaigns, especially in those around the Bryan-College Station area? Will it come up in the Higher Ed committee members' campaigns? Does it affect the vote at all, if this drags out long-term?
Frankly, I don't believe it should be a campaign issue and I'll be sorely disappointed in any candidate or campaign that makes it one. It's bad enough that it is shaping up to be Ken Starr (a prominent Republican) vs. John Sharp (prominent Democrat and TAMU's chancellor-to-be).
Last bit for thought - Baylor plays TAMU in College Station on October 15. Think the fans on both sides can keep their ire out of Kyle Field?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Twin Killings Are Back - By Nancy French - The Corner - National Review Online
Twin Killings Are Back - By Nancy French - The Corner - National Review Online
No commentary necessary. Ms. French says it all.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Bass and Ballesteros squaring off over redistricting, warrants
An investigation is underway in Travis County JP Precinct 2 concerning the proper issuance of warrants. Justice of the Peace Glenn Bass has recalled over 13,000 misdemeanor warrants due to apparent improper execution (KXAN story). Precinct 2 Constable Adan Ballesteros and Chief Deputy George Morales dispute Judge Bass' belief that the payment plans offered to some of the perpetrators were illegal and showed preferential treatment of some offenders. County Attorney David Escamilla has been asked to look into the matter (YNN story).
In the wake of that confrontation last week, a second dispute between Bass and Ballesteros erupted, and this one directly affects voters in Precinct 2 (which encompasses about 1/3 of Travis County, or all of the blue area on this map). Though this boundary change was not prompted by legal necessity (the Commissioners Court simply decided to ask redistricting consultants to build a new map for the 5 JP/Constable districts), Constable Ballesteros has proposed a change that takes four Republican voting precincts out of District 2 and replaces them with Democratic voting precincts. Judge Bass called the constable out for this obviously political move (keep in mind, Ballesteros is up for re-election in 2012).
Never a dull day in Travis County, is it? Tomorrow, the Commissioners Court will vote on these boundary changes. Frankly, I'm against the boundary change - it isn't necessary for either official, there have been no disputes over the volume of work for the court or any requests from the court for a change. It smacks of political manuevering, and Ballesteros wanting some kind of guarantee that not only will he be re-elected, but he could get what he considers a friendlier judge. Bass has done an excellent job for the people in District 2, and this entire episode proves that he is most interested in doing the work of the people.
Want to show up at the commissioners court tomorrow? The meeting is at 9:00am at the Commissioners Court building, 314 W. 11th, Street, Austin, TX. Can't be there? Watch online or on Channel 17 if you have Time Warner Cable.
In the wake of that confrontation last week, a second dispute between Bass and Ballesteros erupted, and this one directly affects voters in Precinct 2 (which encompasses about 1/3 of Travis County, or all of the blue area on this map). Though this boundary change was not prompted by legal necessity (the Commissioners Court simply decided to ask redistricting consultants to build a new map for the 5 JP/Constable districts), Constable Ballesteros has proposed a change that takes four Republican voting precincts out of District 2 and replaces them with Democratic voting precincts. Judge Bass called the constable out for this obviously political move (keep in mind, Ballesteros is up for re-election in 2012).
Never a dull day in Travis County, is it? Tomorrow, the Commissioners Court will vote on these boundary changes. Frankly, I'm against the boundary change - it isn't necessary for either official, there have been no disputes over the volume of work for the court or any requests from the court for a change. It smacks of political manuevering, and Ballesteros wanting some kind of guarantee that not only will he be re-elected, but he could get what he considers a friendlier judge. Bass has done an excellent job for the people in District 2, and this entire episode proves that he is most interested in doing the work of the people.
Want to show up at the commissioners court tomorrow? The meeting is at 9:00am at the Commissioners Court building, 314 W. 11th, Street, Austin, TX. Can't be there? Watch online or on Channel 17 if you have Time Warner Cable.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Event: Austin's Light Rail: Panacea or Boondoggle?
Our friends over at COST have passed on the information about a very intriguing panel event happening next Tuesday evening. If you have any interest in the ongoing problems with light rail and Austin area transportation, this will be a great event for you. There are some heavy-hitters on this panel and I don't think punches will be pulled.
WHEN: Tue, 16 Aug, 2011 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731
WHAT: Panel: Austin's Light Rail: Panacea or Boondoggle? Moderated by Ben Wear, Austin American-Statesman
Panelists:
John Langmore, Capital Metro Board Member
Gerald Daugherty, Gerald T. Daugherty Consulting, LLC
Jim Skaggs, Coalition on Sustainable Transportation
Bill Spelman, Austin City Council
Presented by the JCRC in partnership with the Austin American-Statesman and the Center for Politics and Governance at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
For more information, contact abe.selig@shalomaustin.org
WHEN: Tue, 16 Aug, 2011 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE: Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731
WHAT: Panel: Austin's Light Rail: Panacea or Boondoggle? Moderated by Ben Wear, Austin American-Statesman
Panelists:
John Langmore, Capital Metro Board Member
Gerald Daugherty, Gerald T. Daugherty Consulting, LLC
Jim Skaggs, Coalition on Sustainable Transportation
Bill Spelman, Austin City Council
Presented by the JCRC in partnership with the Austin American-Statesman and the Center for Politics and Governance at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
For more information, contact abe.selig@shalomaustin.org
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Rumors and races
Labels:
election 2012,
governor rick perry,
primary 2012
Here's an interesting tidbit I had not already heard. We all know CD-23, currently home to Congressman Francisco "Quico" Canseco (R-San Antonio) is attracting a lot of Democratic interest. The San Antonio Express-News on Tuesday quoted State Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) as saying he's considering joining the field, and that if he gets in, he thinks he has a good shot at the seat.
If Gallego decides to do it, he'll be only the second Democrat in the state House to leave his seat willingly (State Rep. Joaquin Castro [D-San Antonio] is already leaving to challenge Congressman Lloyd Doggett [D-Austin]).
Meanwhile, you probably heard the news that freshman State Rep. Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie) has decided to challenge State Senator Chris Harris (R-Arlington). Anderson was "paired" with State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown in redistricting, so this decision comes as a relatively simple solution. Harris hasn't said whether he's retiring or not, but the veteran senator isn't without his flaws, and it is certainly a seat that will stay Republican. There are street rumors that Anderson won't be the only challenger in the race, either.
Up in HD 115, the seat being vacated by State Rep. Jim Jackson, Bennett Ratliff got an endorsement from State Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) in addition to those of a few House members from DFW. His dad, Bill Ratliff, is a former state senator-turned-lobbyist and his brother is lobbyist-and-SBOE-member Thomas Ratliff. Matt Rinaldi, the conservative opposition, came out of the gate on July 20 with the endorsements of Irving mayor Beth Van Duyne, State Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney), and grassroots endorsements from Carrollton and Coppell. Looks as though this race will be billed as Establishment vs. Tea Party, and we haven't even reached the filing deadline!
Closer to home in the new HD 149 (Cedar Park and Leander, mostly), rumors are still floating because nobody has actually declared. Capitol Inside reported today that the most likely contenders are Ted Pataki (son of former NY governor George Pataki and current employee in the Lt. Governor's office) and Stephen Thomas (former Cedar Park city councilman and Parent PAC's HD 20 candidate in 2010). On the ground, the rumors are pretty much the same - though the race is wide open, and even Hailey speculated on as many as nine other possibilities. The Williamson County Conservative beat Hailey to the punch with a post on July 18 that listed Pataki and Thomas in a much wider list that includes many well-known locals whose names get mentioned in WilCo Republican circles.
As for the really big race, well, anyone who really thinks it is "news" that Rick Perry will formally announce his presidential candidacy on Saturday is either just desperate for a news story, or unable to read the political tea leaves. It has been pretty clear for awhile now, to anyone willing to pay attention. That being said, the timing is pure Perry, and his momentum is clear regardless of the Iowa caucus this weekend. And that's all I'll say on the subject for now, since I don't feel like getting conspiracy theorist and libertarian hate mail right now.
If Gallego decides to do it, he'll be only the second Democrat in the state House to leave his seat willingly (State Rep. Joaquin Castro [D-San Antonio] is already leaving to challenge Congressman Lloyd Doggett [D-Austin]).
Meanwhile, you probably heard the news that freshman State Rep. Rodney Anderson (R-Grand Prairie) has decided to challenge State Senator Chris Harris (R-Arlington). Anderson was "paired" with State Rep. Linda Harper-Brown in redistricting, so this decision comes as a relatively simple solution. Harris hasn't said whether he's retiring or not, but the veteran senator isn't without his flaws, and it is certainly a seat that will stay Republican. There are street rumors that Anderson won't be the only challenger in the race, either.
Up in HD 115, the seat being vacated by State Rep. Jim Jackson, Bennett Ratliff got an endorsement from State Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Plano) in addition to those of a few House members from DFW. His dad, Bill Ratliff, is a former state senator-turned-lobbyist and his brother is lobbyist-and-SBOE-member Thomas Ratliff. Matt Rinaldi, the conservative opposition, came out of the gate on July 20 with the endorsements of Irving mayor Beth Van Duyne, State Rep. Ken Paxton (R-McKinney), and grassroots endorsements from Carrollton and Coppell. Looks as though this race will be billed as Establishment vs. Tea Party, and we haven't even reached the filing deadline!
Closer to home in the new HD 149 (Cedar Park and Leander, mostly), rumors are still floating because nobody has actually declared. Capitol Inside reported today that the most likely contenders are Ted Pataki (son of former NY governor George Pataki and current employee in the Lt. Governor's office) and Stephen Thomas (former Cedar Park city councilman and Parent PAC's HD 20 candidate in 2010). On the ground, the rumors are pretty much the same - though the race is wide open, and even Hailey speculated on as many as nine other possibilities. The Williamson County Conservative beat Hailey to the punch with a post on July 18 that listed Pataki and Thomas in a much wider list that includes many well-known locals whose names get mentioned in WilCo Republican circles.
As for the really big race, well, anyone who really thinks it is "news" that Rick Perry will formally announce his presidential candidacy on Saturday is either just desperate for a news story, or unable to read the political tea leaves. It has been pretty clear for awhile now, to anyone willing to pay attention. That being said, the timing is pure Perry, and his momentum is clear regardless of the Iowa caucus this weekend. And that's all I'll say on the subject for now, since I don't feel like getting conspiracy theorist and libertarian hate mail right now.
Making a point to help schoolkids in Houston
Labels:
houston ISD,
texas schools
If we listen to the keening cries of educrats and liberals everywhere, we would be convinced that kids in Texas are going to school shoeless, likely to contract polio because they didn't get their shots, and will have to write their lessons with blood because they don't have pencils. The news coming out of Houston from last weekend is certainly being spun that way - but the truth is much different.
Budgeting woes in Texas' school districts were the main topic of conversation throughout most of this past legislative session. It was all doom and gloom, as many of the largest districts (which are also home to some of Texas' most disadvantaged kids) faced budget shortfalls even before the Legislature was done figuring out how to split a smaller pie fairly. It is with that echo still in our ears that news comes from Houston that HISD has an actual surplus of cash that they are trying to decide how to spend.
A surplus totaling $18.5 million, or enough to hire 411 teachers at the base rate of $45,000.
The school board is supposed to make a decision today about what to use this money for. The district cut over $100 million from their budget, about $275 per student in HISD, so this is money that wasn't budgeted and that they weren't really anticipating. They could save it for a rainy day, true. However, there is more going on in Houston.
Over the weekend, a handful of prominent liberal bloggers picked up on a story in the Houston Chronicle about Houston's first-ever back-to-school event for the city at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Reports that over 100,000 people may have been there waiting to get school supplies, vaccinations, and fresh produce. The event proved so popular that they had to close the doors and turn away people after just three hours.
Of course, this story was reported as a supposed contrast to Governor Rick Perry's prayer rally, The Response, which was happening at Reliant Stadium during the same time. We conservatives are supposed to feel remorse that 30,000 people were praying for our country mere miles from where this grab for free things was taking place.
I don't mean to sound callous. There is real need out there, and adequate school supplies are an increasing problem every year (vaccinations are less of an issue - if you need them and can't afford them, the county health department can help you, and here's a list of places and dates for immunizations in Harris County - there really aren't many excuses, people). But the sideways criticism and outright ridicule of people who came together to pray is ridiculous.
As for school supplies - plenty of drives and distribution are happening for students in need in Harris County. The Houston Apartment Association collected supplies in July and delivered them last week. The Greater Heights Chamber held a drive to benefit Eugene Field Elementary School. ComedySportz in Memorial is holding a school supply drive for the DePelchin Children’s Center, the largest provider of children’s social and mental health services in the Houston area. KHOU-11 is hosting a school supply and donation drive with the Houston Food Bank, and there's more information about donating online here. Cy-Fair Magazine reported that Crossover Bible Fellowship will be collecting school supplies at a back-to-school rally this month. And there's a great list of school supply drives happening around Houston at the Examiner. It is worth noting that nearly every community in Texas has someone organizing this kind of activity to help kids in need - and if there's not one where you are, consider organizing one yourself.
All of this to come back to the extra money sitting in Houston ISD's coffers. There is a real need for this money to either be saved altogether or be used to directly benefit the classrooms in HISD. Hire more teachers if you can, but consider using the money to offset the needs of the children. It's just one idea that would directly benefit the kids, who after all, should be the biggest concern when we're talking about education.
All of this to come back to the extra money sitting in Houston ISD's coffers. There is a real need for this money to either be saved altogether or be used to directly benefit the classrooms in HISD. Hire more teachers if you can, but consider using the money to offset the needs of the children. It's just one idea that would directly benefit the kids, who after all, should be the biggest concern when we're talking about education.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
McCain doesn't apologize for stupid remark
It doesn't surprise me at all, but Real Clear Politics has a story up about Senator John McCain ("R"-AZ) saying he isn't sorry about his tea party hobbit remark on the Senate floor.
Look, I don't take offense at the remark as a tea party person. I take offense as someone who has actually read Tolkien's books, and as someone who understands compare/contrast and allegory. Senator McCain is clearly okay with repeating what was obviously an illiterate statement by people who either never read the books or didn't see the movies, or who didn't understand any of them.
And either way, all this did for me is serve as a stark reminder that I voted for Sarah Palin in 2008, with John McCain just along for the ride.
Look, I don't take offense at the remark as a tea party person. I take offense as someone who has actually read Tolkien's books, and as someone who understands compare/contrast and allegory. Senator McCain is clearly okay with repeating what was obviously an illiterate statement by people who either never read the books or didn't see the movies, or who didn't understand any of them.
And either way, all this did for me is serve as a stark reminder that I voted for Sarah Palin in 2008, with John McCain just along for the ride.
Texas' long, hot summer, and the EPA
Somewhere in the country today, it is raining. Blessed relief pours from the sky and for some, there is a glimpse of fall just around the corner.
Not so in Texas
. The largest state in the lower 48 has been suffering unrelenting extreme heat for most of the summer, and drought conditions for much longer. This isn't news, not to those who live here anyway. It has been so bad in some places that the water has actually been turned off (see this story about Kemp, TX). For the last couple of weeks, we've gotten word from ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) that we may soon face rolling blackouts like those we experienced during an extreme cold snap last winter, because the energy demand across the state has gotten so heavy.
Today, news comes that a federal agency (isn't it always?) was almost responsible for helping cause blackouts, had their all of their current and proposed authoritarian policies been in place at the time. The Environmental Protection Agency, one of the worst thorns in any sane federalist's side, has put forward rules that could adversely affect Texas' ability to produce electricity. In other words, federal bureaucracy could push Texas toward emergency status, inflating electricity prices and affecting the availability of electricity during what is fast becoming one of the hottest summers on record. A letter from Public Utilities Commission chairman Donna Nelson suggests that the EPA's rules would have exacerbated an already critical situation.
Any wise Texan is taking precautions, if for no other reason than a fear of seeing a $400 electric bill in the mail (in this economy, "take fewer risks" is a good mantra). Keeping your air conditioning set at 80 or higher, leaving your lights off, turning off the television when you aren't watching, you know the drill. If Nelson and the PUC are correct, the EPA's rules, however, appear to threaten Texans' ability to govern themselves, punishing them for a freakish summer over which they have no control. The actual availability of electricity, and the continuing questions about whether the power grid can handle the demand, are scenarios frightening enough without further aggravation.
Not so in Texas
. The largest state in the lower 48 has been suffering unrelenting extreme heat for most of the summer, and drought conditions for much longer. This isn't news, not to those who live here anyway. It has been so bad in some places that the water has actually been turned off (see this story about Kemp, TX). For the last couple of weeks, we've gotten word from ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) that we may soon face rolling blackouts like those we experienced during an extreme cold snap last winter, because the energy demand across the state has gotten so heavy.Today, news comes that a federal agency (isn't it always?) was almost responsible for helping cause blackouts, had their all of their current and proposed authoritarian policies been in place at the time. The Environmental Protection Agency, one of the worst thorns in any sane federalist's side, has put forward rules that could adversely affect Texas' ability to produce electricity. In other words, federal bureaucracy could push Texas toward emergency status, inflating electricity prices and affecting the availability of electricity during what is fast becoming one of the hottest summers on record. A letter from Public Utilities Commission chairman Donna Nelson suggests that the EPA's rules would have exacerbated an already critical situation.
Any wise Texan is taking precautions, if for no other reason than a fear of seeing a $400 electric bill in the mail (in this economy, "take fewer risks" is a good mantra). Keeping your air conditioning set at 80 or higher, leaving your lights off, turning off the television when you aren't watching, you know the drill. If Nelson and the PUC are correct, the EPA's rules, however, appear to threaten Texans' ability to govern themselves, punishing them for a freakish summer over which they have no control. The actual availability of electricity, and the continuing questions about whether the power grid can handle the demand, are scenarios frightening enough without further aggravation.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Election season and the franchise tax
Now THIS was a topic worth coming back to the blogosphere for! I would think that the last thing most legislators running for reelection or higher office wanted to hear was that a lawsuit had been filed challenging the state's controversial franchise tax. And, just in time to make life very interesting, here's that lawsuit.
The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a company out of Boerne, Allcat Claims Services. The basic premise of the suit is what some people have argued about for awhile, that the franchise/margins tax is essentially a state income tax, and hence unconstitutional (under the Texas constitution - I know some of you get confused on that score). The Texas constitution requires a vote of the people if a statewide income tax is to go into effect, and citizens did not vote on the franchise/margins tax. What will have to be proven is whether this tax actually qualifies as an income tax (and there's some good info on this here). There is more to it - the suit challenges the equitable application of the tax and also asks for declaratory judgement.
The Texas Supreme Court is going to be dealing with an issue for which there is almost no precedent; there won't be reams of legal paperwork they can refer to, since this is the first time a suit has been filed on this issue. They're basically starting from scratch, in other words. This suit goes straight to the Supreme Court and bypasses the usual ponderous legal path, and as such is on a "fast track" - it has to be resolved by the court within 120 days, meaning a decision will come down just before the end of the election filing period in December.
This is where things get interesting for political geeks who aren't as up on the legal questions being posed. A number of current incumbents in the Texas Legislature voted for the franchise/margins tax. The tax has already been a deadly campaign issue in past elections, and if the Court rules it unconstitutional, there will be a lot to answer for on the campaign trail. Even in open seats, this will be a major issue, because there will need to be a solution offered.
But it gets worse. If the tax is found unconstitutional, it is possible that the funds collected while it has been in effect will have to be returned to taxpayers. Okay, okay, I don't think that in itself is a bad thing (I was against this tax and fought against it in 2005, and fought against the 2006 removal of Republican Party of Texas platform plank that was against such taxes as well), but consider the state of Texas' coffers. The budget is stretched to the breaking point as it is, and that money is for all intents and purposes already spent. It isn't unlikely that a special legislative session could have to be called to come up with a resolution, either, making incumbents' lives that much more difficult come the spring.
Let's also consider the chance of a second lawsuit dealing with a not-totally-unrelated issue, Texas' school finance system.. Not that it wasn't expected to be; anyone gearing up for campaign season is well aware that school finance will be a major issue in 2012, and will top the agenda of the legislature in 2013. We're facing real challenges as a state, because we have a lot of obligations that we simply cannot meet. For some, tax hikes will be the answer, and for others, well, they're going to have to advocate and enact serious cuts and reforms. We can't continue ignoring the pension issue, for one. And the burdens placed on states by the federal government with regard to health care could bankrupt us before we even begin talking about schools.
The legislature adjourned exhausted and edgy. The electorate is exhausted and edgy. 2012 is just about upon us - we are getting daily announcements of campaigns, retirements, and exploratory committees. With all the focus on what will happen nationally, it is more important than ever that conservatives in particular PAY ATTENTION (don't make me yell) to what is happening down ballot. The entire Texas legislature, every House and Senate seat, is up in 2012. Now is not the time to fall asleep at the wheel - the franchise tax lawsuit alone is proof of that.
The lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a company out of Boerne, Allcat Claims Services. The basic premise of the suit is what some people have argued about for awhile, that the franchise/margins tax is essentially a state income tax, and hence unconstitutional (under the Texas constitution - I know some of you get confused on that score). The Texas constitution requires a vote of the people if a statewide income tax is to go into effect, and citizens did not vote on the franchise/margins tax. What will have to be proven is whether this tax actually qualifies as an income tax (and there's some good info on this here). There is more to it - the suit challenges the equitable application of the tax and also asks for declaratory judgement.
The Texas Supreme Court is going to be dealing with an issue for which there is almost no precedent; there won't be reams of legal paperwork they can refer to, since this is the first time a suit has been filed on this issue. They're basically starting from scratch, in other words. This suit goes straight to the Supreme Court and bypasses the usual ponderous legal path, and as such is on a "fast track" - it has to be resolved by the court within 120 days, meaning a decision will come down just before the end of the election filing period in December.
This is where things get interesting for political geeks who aren't as up on the legal questions being posed. A number of current incumbents in the Texas Legislature voted for the franchise/margins tax. The tax has already been a deadly campaign issue in past elections, and if the Court rules it unconstitutional, there will be a lot to answer for on the campaign trail. Even in open seats, this will be a major issue, because there will need to be a solution offered.
But it gets worse. If the tax is found unconstitutional, it is possible that the funds collected while it has been in effect will have to be returned to taxpayers. Okay, okay, I don't think that in itself is a bad thing (I was against this tax and fought against it in 2005, and fought against the 2006 removal of Republican Party of Texas platform plank that was against such taxes as well), but consider the state of Texas' coffers. The budget is stretched to the breaking point as it is, and that money is for all intents and purposes already spent. It isn't unlikely that a special legislative session could have to be called to come up with a resolution, either, making incumbents' lives that much more difficult come the spring.
Let's also consider the chance of a second lawsuit dealing with a not-totally-unrelated issue, Texas' school finance system.. Not that it wasn't expected to be; anyone gearing up for campaign season is well aware that school finance will be a major issue in 2012, and will top the agenda of the legislature in 2013. We're facing real challenges as a state, because we have a lot of obligations that we simply cannot meet. For some, tax hikes will be the answer, and for others, well, they're going to have to advocate and enact serious cuts and reforms. We can't continue ignoring the pension issue, for one. And the burdens placed on states by the federal government with regard to health care could bankrupt us before we even begin talking about schools.
The legislature adjourned exhausted and edgy. The electorate is exhausted and edgy. 2012 is just about upon us - we are getting daily announcements of campaigns, retirements, and exploratory committees. With all the focus on what will happen nationally, it is more important than ever that conservatives in particular PAY ATTENTION (don't make me yell) to what is happening down ballot. The entire Texas legislature, every House and Senate seat, is up in 2012. Now is not the time to fall asleep at the wheel - the franchise tax lawsuit alone is proof of that.
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