Inside the Unraveling of School Finance Legislation
As the 132nd day of the 82nd Legislature waned, Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, stood in front of his colleagues, introducing legislation he knew would soon die.
By 8 p.m. before a key midnight passage deadline, House members had already pre-filed more than 70 amendments to the fiscal matters bill that might be the final chance to pass education legislation — most importantly, a school finance measure — out of the chamber.
As he acknowledged a Democrat standing at the microphone in the back of the chamber, ready to pose a challenge or question to the legislation, Aycock, with a tone ...
Comments (7)
psadler
The House rules provide with reasonable notice a conference committee can meet publicly. Unfortunately, over the last decade the practice of open meetings for the members and public has been forgotten. House members in the past have insisted on open public dialogue particularly on issues of critical importance like school finance. This article is correct in its premise that the House membership(justifiably so) has to be informed and understand the road map for the future in voting for school finance. Unfortunately, this session that basic work was never done - but with 101 members of the House in the same party, committed to budget cuts and no use of the rainy day fund - they passed the bill, and would have in the Senate except for Senator Davis. However, this process begs for mistakes to be made - it's not just that the membership may not understand, but also errors can and do occur when drafting school finance. It is a highly technical process that few understand once drafted. A public hearing, without the 3 minute time limitations, offers the best protection for all concerned, the public, the members and the authors. We need to go back to the policy of open, public conference meetings on critical issues for our state. You should not expect members of either chamber to vote on a 395 page bill relating to taxes, fees, accounting measures, and a change in school finance with only hours to try to read the bill and little time to discuss it with their school districts. This is a process issue, as well as, a substantive issue.
Lorrie Irby Jackson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And folks ELECTED these cretins----hope they're proud, great job! *slow, sarcastic hand-claps*
Greg Pulte via Texas Tribune on Facebook
shameful scammers
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Bottom line they did not get it. When they did get it they hated it. *DUH*
Mary Lynn VanZandt Neill via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Bambi,you should have been named "Thumper",you get the real news out!They absolutely did NOT get it. Guess I see farther and farther(further and further for the West TX contingent,as I once was) into psyches. Spouses already at home,are they?
John Carhart via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Texas; headed toward Third World status and proud of it!
Jose Gomez
If the governor and the legislature do not know where to get funds for the state's educational system, I recommend that he take it from the "Prison System". Cut 10% from every felon who is sent to prison for "life". He or she already messed up their lives, therefore, they can no longer contribute to society.
It is in the best interest of our educational system to channel those funds from the prison system to the educational system. I venture to say that this can generate at least 3.5 billion that can be allocated to our educational system and provide adequate education for every child in the state of Texas.
Let every citizen voice this recommendation to the governor and the leglisature, since they do not know how to deal with this problem. This recommendation can solve this dilema "Pronto".
Write to your State Representative and have him voice our opinion to the governor and the rest of his incompetent cronies.