Education Editorial Letters
By Karl-Thomas Musselman
I just saw that my father had his letter to the editor printed in the Austin American Statesman today, directly under House Speaker Tom Craddick's.
Most Texans believe that education is critical to the future of our state and our children. Education funding should be the first priority of our elected officials. As a teacher at a public high school, I would like to offer my common-sense solution to the controversy over how to finance public schools.
The first item of business in a legislative session should always be education. The Legislature should construct an equitable, fully funded public education plan. This bipartisan plan would be funded from the state's general revenue fund. This plan should include a raise in the teacher minimum salary schedule and increased contributions to teacher health insurance.
Only after education has been dealt with should the Legislature address issues such as social services, transportation, prisons, redistricting and appropriations to operate state government. If more money is needed to fund these other worthy programs, the Legislature could then consider toll roads, a state income tax or sin taxes.
Posted by Karl-Thomas Musselman at April 27, 2004 08:09 PM
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Wow. Karl-T, your father's letter evoked memories of my own father, long since deceased, a schoolteacher who would have thoroughly appreciated your father's letter and position. My father participated in the state textbook committee, facing down the hardcore creationists on the inclusion of evolution in textbooks. Like your father, he believed passionately in the need to educate every Texan, and to accord teachers the professional status they rightfully deserve. Please accept my thanks, and convey my thanks to your father, from the son of one Texas schoolteacher to the son of another.
