Burnt Orange Report

40/40: Solving the School Finance Issue

By Phillip Martin

Editor's note: This is an op-ed piece by Kathy Rider. As part of the 40/40, we're giving every candidate we feature an opportunity to write on any topic of their choosing. This afternoon, I will post Donna Howard's op-ed.

These are the facts:

• Texas has a constitutional mandate to fund public schools.
• The future of Texas depends upon an educated labor force and a strong educational system.
• Texas was the only state in the US to decrease spending on education during the last fiscal year.
• Texas ranks 38th nationally in teacher salaries and last in its high school graduation rate.
• The Texas Supreme Court has declared that the $1.50 per $100 valuation tax cap is unconstitutional.
• The Texas Legislature must solve the school finance issue by June 1, 2006 or the doors of our schools will close.

It is crucial that our children receive a good education and are prepared to take their place in America’s labor force. Teachers are a key factor. Teachers must be given the resources and tools to teach. Teachers must be supported with viable salaries and benefits as well as the tools to enable them to teach effectively.

The current school finance system is badly broken and has created even more inequities by mandating the sharing of revenues by property-wealthy districts. The Eanes District, for example, sends 59% of its revenues to less wealthy school districts. The State’s share of funding for public schools has decreased by almost 30% over the past ten years to only 38%. Property owners currently bear the burden of funding public education in Texas. The three-legged stool of state funding, property tax revenue and business franchise taxes has two disproportionately short legs…no wonder it is collapsing. We have the fifth most favorable business environment in the nation, and I believe that businesses can increase their participation without harming the bottom line. Industry and commerce will not continue to come to Texas if the public schools are not of good. There are several strategies to lessen the burden on property owners without unduly burdening businesses:

• We must increase the state’s share of public funding.
• We must close the loopholes on franchise tax collection.
• We must identify a reliably steady revenue stream for school finance.
• In the short term, the sales tax on tobacco-related and alcoholic products could be increased, adding an additional $3 billion to educational revenues.

The Texas Legislature set up the current school finance system in 1993. It was designed to equalize funding for public education across the State. The new system should be indexed for both inflation and growth. Simply including a growth provision in the student population would bring relief to many districts. The cost of education index does not currently reflect the true cost of education.

The Special Election for State Representative House District 48 is on January 17th. Early voting has already begun and will continue through Friday, January 13. This election is critical because the individual elected will serve in a special session of the Legislature on school finance, which will be called by the Governor later this spring. We must solve this issue. As a member of the AISD Board of Trustees for ten years and President for eight, I believe that I am the most qualified candidate to address the challenges.

District 48 deserves an effective voice in the Legislature...one who reflects the views and values of District 48. I am an experienced leader well suited to being a voice of change and effectiveness.