Defunding Public Education in Texas
In recent years, the governor and legislature in Texas have cut billions of dollars from the budget for public education.
They have shown their priorities. By keeping taxes low, they can grow new jobs, or so they say.
But at the same time, they are destroying the public schools that prepare the next generation for citizenship and work and innovation.
A Texas colleague sent me an article to show what the cuts are doing to one small district. The Hutto school district must cut more than $1 million from its $37 million budget. A local tax increase was turned down last November. The district will go back to the voters to ask again.
The district is imposing a fee of $200 a year for students to ride the bus to school, with no break for poor kids.
They have shown their priorities. By keeping taxes low, they can grow new jobs, or so they say.
But at the same time, they are destroying the public schools that prepare the next generation for citizenship and work and innovation.
A Texas colleague sent me an article to show what the cuts are doing to one small district. The Hutto school district must cut more than $1 million from its $37 million budget. A local tax increase was turned down last November. The district will go back to the voters to ask again.
The district is imposing a fee of $200 a year for students to ride the bus to school, with no break for poor kids.
