School tax plan appears doomed

For the third time in as many years, Texas lawmakers appear to have failed to come up with a new way to pay for public education. "I don't see how it's not dead," Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Saturday.

The controversy over how to pay for public schools in a way that meets the demands of the state constitution now heads to the Texas Supreme Court while state officials try to assess the impact their inaction will have on next year's elections.

Gov. Rick Perry and legislative leaders continued frantic backroom negotiations to try to salvage something from the legislation late Saturday and insisted they were making progress.

But the lawmakers missed a crucial midnight deadline to print copies of legislation to be voted on before they adjourn Monday. Broad, bipartisan support would be required to waive that deadline — a high hurdle for such an emotionally-charged issue.

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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/shared/tx/legislature/stories/05/29finance.html

Republican lawmakers, especially Governor Goodhair and Tom DeLay's future cellmate Speaker Craddick have failed the people of Texas. We have got to make them pay for their incompetence in 2006.

plus increasing their retirement pensions while they continue screw teachers. Disgusting!!!!!!!!! Plus their idiotic plan hinged on the idea that only smokers and drinkers would bear the brunt of the tax burden.

I can't be too surprised, my idiot is Todd Baxter and if the rest of them are anywhere near as fucked up as he is, it is amazing they were able to find the capitol. I agree that it is reprehensible they were able to take care of themselves while screwing the teachers, schools, they list is long and shameful. On the bright side they have saved us from the scourge of overly provocative cheerleaders.

The House passed HB1476, but it's been languishing in the Sneate Education Committee since then.

they are trying to save hetero marriage by banning gay marriage. :eyes: I really wish they would focus on something worthwhile like, I dunno, protecting Texas lakes, rivers and air, properly funding education as the Texas Constitution mandates, defending the separation of church and state, better funding prison rehabiliation programs instead just building more prisons or overcrowding others thus making the criminals even more resentful and more likely to be repeat offenders, clamping down on unscrupulous insurance companies, etc.... No, but they want to focus on those damn gays and sexy cheerleaders. :mad:

Missing a deadline to get copies of the law printed? :dunce:

Don't forget they passed the awe inspiring sexy cheerleader bill and the amendment to write discrimination into the constitution but fix the school budget? Screw that, it's for liberals. :p Really I'm getting sick of this, the school district I attended was one of the best in the state and had one of the best fine arts programs in the country, now they are lucky if they have enough money to pay all the teachers

There are a lot of people here who are involved in education. If the topic interests you, keep an eye out!

to court over their inability to fund education. We had a Judge last summer order all public schools be closed until the legislature fixed the inequalities and properly funded education. The State Supreme court placed a stay on that, of course. Now their terrible "new" plan (which is really the old plan from 15 years ago already ruled illegal) is going back to court to be ruled upon this summer.

Make no mistake: this is a failure of the Republican party here in Texas. Everything has to be revenue neutral...these are our children, polls have shown people don't mind spending a little.

but somehow the GOP will find a way to blame the whole thing on the Democratic members of the Texas Congress. I'm waiting to see how they do it. Should be a be a beaut they've gotten really good at it

and the Texas forum! :hi: