Voters Asked for Cuts — Do They Like the Results?
Two years ago, the Republican primary was teeming with angry conservatives stirred up by federal fiscal policy. Not all of them were Tea Party members, but all of them seemed to get labeled that way. Whatever the description, their effect on last year’s legislative session was clear.
Nobody was going to talk positively about spending, and nobody was going to lift a finger on a new tax.
That’s what the voters apparently wanted, and that’s what they got.
It didn’t suit all the conservatives in Texas government and politics, and some of them are betting that ...
Comments (13)
Chris Thornton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Damn right you gotta be a conservative if you want to call yourself a Republican. Especially in Texas. Otherwise, you're just a RINO. The GOP doesn't need any more RINO's.
Greg Pulte via Texas Tribune on Facebook
At too great a cost. Most voters dont even know what they want, they don't study the issues.
Chris Bazan via Texas Tribune on Facebook
when only 30% of people vote in mid-term elections, this is what you get.
Samdavis
The legislature made no plans for more revenue. That means more and more cuts at a time when we are already below the national standard in almost every area. It's a poor commentary on the state that we tolerate this kind of leadership. Then again, for those that show their ignorance by using a confederate flag as a backdrop, it's heaven on earth.
Richard S. Moore via Texas Tribune on Facebook
"If it be admitted that a man possessing absolute power may misuse that power by wronging his adversaries, why should not a majority be liable to the same reproach? Men do not change their characters by uniting with one another; nor does their patience in the presence of obstacles increase with their strength. For my own part, I cannot believe it; the power to do everything, which I should refuse to one of my equals, I will never grant to any number of them."
Alexis de Tocqueville, "Tyranny of the Majority," Chapter XV, Book 1, Democracy in America
Candyce Byrne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Chris Thornton, you're being sarcastic, I hope.
Kim Burkett via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Cuts may sound good in theory - until it's YOUR school that shuts down, or YOUR kid that doesn't have a desk in an over-crowded classroom, or YOUR son cant play football because athletics have been suspended, or YOU have to drive your kid to school because your ISD eliminated bussing. The hypothetical of cuts is already meeting reality in schools, and when budget year 2 hits come next school year, (many don't know that there are more cuts next year and for some ISDs they're worse than last year), a lot of legislators just might have some explaining to do. And legislators having to explain themselves in an election year is always highly entertaining.
jpt51
Are we going to wait until employers can't find qualified new employees before the Ledge reverses their attack on public education? Who are doctors and hospitals going to blame when they don't get paid because Medicaid was shorted $6 billion dollars? How many cancer causing deaths in Houston metro area are needed before citizens cry out for change? Are we going to sit quietly, enjoying our tax cuts when the lakes run dry and we can't go anywhere because the roads are so bad? Watch for the backlash before the next session begins. The Tea Party had its day. Watch for the public to demand acountability of state officials when things are falling apart. It didn't have to be this way but it's so easy for politicos from Bush to Perry to claim pie in the sky and not have to pay for it.
gypsy314 ne
I think they have room to cut more but they should stop all tax payers money going to illegal aliens schools and welfare. Would save billions for Texas alone. then cut were there is waste going on.
Anyone But Obama!
Mike Openshaw via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And two articles down was this: another $77 million droped on another sports palace: No the cuts didn't go far enough with stuf lie this still going on : http://www.texastribune.org/texas-education/higher-education/ut-arlington-more-just-new-building/
TJ Scott
I did not like the results because they did not go far enough. The legislature raised the education by $1,000,000 yes one million dollars last session.
We do not need new taxes until we get spending under control.
When there are School Superintendents making 3 and 4 times what the Governor makes something is wrong. When we had 1 administrator for every 5.5 teachers in 1996 and now we have 1 administrator for every 1 teacher in 2011 something is wrong!
I agree totally with Chris Thornton and I certainly hope he is not being sarcastic because he is correct.
Read the Republican Party Platform.
Anya Khan
My boss called a meeting and said "Find 10% to cut out of next year's budget". After the initial freak out, we did, another section did., etc. Those that refused had their budgets cut by the comptroller. Texas agencies know the money is gone, find a way to streamline or the state will do it for you.
hans5162@ix.netcom.com hans
TJ Scott,
You are mistaken. The Foundation School Program received more money, however, looking at the per student allocation enacted by the legislature the actual amount of money appropriated by the legislature amounted to a $5.4 billion dollar cut. What the Republicans seem to rely on is an argument that if we have 180,000 more students and we raise the overall appropriation by an amount that does not fund that increase, it's an increase to education, even though the amount per student is $500.00 less. In other words, the Governor and any other Republican who says we incresed education funding in Texas is lying.
School superintendents occupy competitive positions. They compete nationally and they have to be paid a competitive salary. They are generally worth what they are paid. The Governor is not worth the $240,000.00 per year he is currently siphoning off from the taxpayers.
Your statement regarding the number of administrators to teachers is simply false. It includes food service workers, janitors and bus drivers. There are no more administrators now than there were in 1996. Administrative costs average about 3% in public schools.
I've read the Republican Party Platform and it is the most paranoid and delusional document I have ever read. I was shocked. Might I suggest you wrap your head in foil? It will keep the CIA and agents of the United Nations from reading your thoughts.