All Is Not Well in Texas

Dear Editor,
    Despite “Slick Rick” Perry's view that all is well in Texas, it is clear that school districts statewide are facing severe problems from a lack of funding. State Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, has called this shortfall “devastating,” and that “money is not out there.” We can continue to mortgage the future of this great state by shortchanging Texas school children, or we can do what needs to be done and fund our school system. It had been suggested that school property taxes increase by one-third to help cover the looming deficits. This would increase the annual tax bill on a $200,000 home by less than $47 a month – less than a carton of cigarettes. Sen. Shapiro's comment on this proposal reveals what is wrong with the attitude of our state leaders when it comes to dealing with this “devastating” situation. Her reaction to a relatively small tax hike? “Don't even go there.” If our state legislators refuse to “go there,” well, our kids are going to go down the drain. I don't like paying higher taxes – but, I dislike even more seeing the schools and teachers of this great state being told to do more with less. I would be much more likely to vote for a candidate in the future who will “go there” and promise to make the necessary hard choices instead of one continue to insist that the status quo is just fine. The children of Texas deserve that.