#atxcouncil: David Butts doth protest too much....

"A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows."
Proverbs 18:6

David Butts bills himself as a local political consultant.  In reality, he's much more than that.  Which is why we found his bizarre testimony from last Thurday's discussion of the efficiency audit so interesting:



Highlights:

• Calls petition "totally misleading."

• Calls audit petition a "creature" from TPPF.

• "Designed to set the city up to it can be attacked...."

• Calls the legislature "the reichstag...." [Note: 37 seconds in]
• Cheap shot at Troxclair.

• "Launch an attack on the city...."

• "Funded by dark money...."
• "We'll never know who paid this money...."

• Phony machismo over campaign.

• "Spear aimed at the city of Austin...out to undermine this city."

• Something about Greg Abbott.

• Calls TPPF, AFP "front groups."
• Listening to Butts yammer on about the Koch brothers, and TPPF reminds us of this:
  

• Exchange with Adler over alleged "redundancy."

• Ora Houston points out that over 30,000 Austinites signed the petition: "Are we calling the people invalid."
• "They petition is still valid."

• Houston: "Is there something wrong with having an efficiency audit?!?"

• Houston to Butts: "Those are a lot of assertions."

Here's the thing: One would expect Butts to oppose an efficiency audit.  But the tone and ferocity of Butts' testimony was striking.  Then there's the fact he showed up in the first place.  Clearly, an efficiency audit strikes a nerve.

Which begs a follow up question: What would an efficiency audit reveal about David Butts' business relationships and personal finances?!?

We have no specific knowledge, but it's hard not to draw that conclusion following that performance.

Bottom Line: What a bizarre, unhinged, performance....

The Conservative Budget Texans DEMAND

"But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’ Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself."
Deuteronomy 17:16-17

Texas State Capitol -- This morning, Texas' conservative budget coalition held a press conference to discuss the initial House and Senate budget proposals and their expectations for the upcoming legislative session:



Highlights:

Talmadge Heflin (TPPF):

• Get expectations out early.

• Added population + inflation.

• Eliminate Margins Tax.

• StAR Fund.

• Subject local property tax hikes to voter approval.

• Stronger Constitutional Spending Limit.

Vance Ginn (TPPF):

• Low taxes, less regulation best path to prosperity.

• $217.1 billion in all funds spending; $142.2 billion in state funds.

• Option C: StAR fund.

Mike Hasson (AFP):

• "Regardless of party, we look forward to accomplishing great things."

• "Too many Texas homeowners can't enjoy the increases in their home values" because of property taxes."

• Local governments are reaping windfalls.

• Easier rollback elections.

• Automatic election if property tax growth exceeds a certain point.
• Effective Tax Rate?!?

Michael Quinn Sullivan (Empower Texans):

• Texas needs "structural reforms" to state spending.

• Tighter constitutional spending limit.

• "Make sure government spends no more than the citizens can afford to pay."

• Move from 'strategies' to program based budgeting.
• Author's note: We've been covering the #TXLEGE for several years and we still have no idea what "strategies-based" budgeting means.

Josiah Neely (R Street):

• Eliminate Margins Tax entirely.

• Hidden tax on consumers.

• Taxes between industries vary greatly.

Q&A:

• House and Senate budgets "are both good starting points."

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AFP has more here.

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Budget Coalition One Pager Updated

Citizens for Tax Relief Now's Press Conference

"But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God."
Nehemiah 5:15

Austin City Hall -- This afternoon, Citizens for Tax Relief Now held a press conference to discuss alternatives to the tax increase the current lame duck city council is set to impose on Austin:

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Highlights:

• Cindy Malette -- People are now paying more in property taxes than mortgages.
• Her rent went up substantially in 2013.
• Rail, busses, and bikes aren't viable for people with kids.
• Affordability crisis is due to tax rate, not appraisals.
• Effective tax rate equals tax relief now.
• City and county are operating a dysfunctional system.
• 90,000 people protested property taxes in 2014, only 50,000 voted in last Austin City Council election.

• Bill Worsham -- Two paths: Either chase unicorns or promote prosperity for all Austinites.

• Kent Philips -- City is driving gentrification.

• Julian Fernandez -- Will lower property taxes by 20%
• Forensic Audit and zero-based budgeting.
• Helen Diaz, age 90, had to sell her home because of property taxes.
• WWII vets are getting priced out in East Austin.
• We cannot let people lose their home because of high property taxes.

• Todd Phelps --  We're trying to retain our soul in Austin.
• Doesn't want to wait four years for a homestead exemption.
• Current group running city hall got us into this affordability/traffic crisis.

• Michael Cargill --  Get back to fiscal responsibility.

• Mike McNamara - We're in trouble in Travis County.

• Richard Franklin -- Local Government doesn't do a cost/benefit analysis, just give $$$ to special interests.

• Peggy Venable -- ATX is the poster child for local government debt.
• 10 cents of every dollar Austin ISD spends goes to debt service.

• Dean Wright -- 3 actions City/County needs to take:
• Freeze 2014 tax rate.
• Audit city agencies every two years.
• Zero-based budgeting every two years.

Dan Patrick's Secret #Dream14 Speech

"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;"
Proverbs 29:2 (a)

[Author's note: We apologize for the video quality; cell phone camera, bad lighting, etc....]

Dallas, TX -- Earlier this evening, Texas Lieutenant Governor candidate Dan Patrick spoke to the Texas delegation at the Americans for Prosperity Defending the American Dream Conference:

First off, Peggy Venable of AFP Texas introduced Patrick:



Highlights:

• "We are headed for trouble if we don't reign in local government spending and debt."

• "We know in Texas we've gone a long way, but we've also got a long way to go."

• "We have to make sure we're engaged in local politics and local policymaking also."

 Next, Senator Patrick spoke:



Highlights:

• "We already have school choice in Texas: If you're rich enough you send your kid to private school, if you're mobile enough you move to the suburbs." 

• "Nobody moves to the suburbs because they want to sit in traffic."

• #TXSEN will kill 2/3rds rule.

• "Last year we spent $53 billion in Texas on education."

• Texas education spending: $38 billion in 1997, $53 billion today....

• "If I'm Lieutenant Governor, there will not be a budget that passes the Senate without serious property tax relief, short term, medium term, and long term."

• They owe their success to us activists!!!

Texans Demand a Conservative Budget

"But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall not return that way again.’  Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away; nor shall he greatly multiply silver and gold for himself."
Deuteronomy 17:16

Texas Public Policy Foundation -- This morning, the Texas Conservative Budget Coalition held a press conference to discuss TPPF's new paper The Conservative Texas Budget:

Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Highlights:

• Talmadge Helflin - STAR FUND is the primary tax cut.
• Real Texas Budget was the Starting Point.
• We're two weeks away from state agencies beginning to request 2016/17 budgets.
• Expect a $1.5 billion supplemental in 2015.
• Author's note: Sigh....
• Texas' current spending limit is restricted to non-dedicated General revenue.
• The legislature will have to do this "voluntarily."
• Author's Note: Paging Dan Patrick!!!
• The economy of a state fares better "if it's a low tax, low spend state."
• "In times of plenty, we recommend the legislature keep spending at a level that's sustainable in the long-term."

• Vance Ginn - 2004-15 state spending up 62.4%
• 8% faster than inflation + spending.
• Limit state spending to 6.2% population + inflation.

• JoAnn Fleming - "The state of Texas spends much more than the legislature appropriates."
• Federal funds come from our pocket, "some magic fairy land."

• Michael Quinn Sullivan - "Texas has benefited...from the bad decisions of other states."
• "The least drunk person at the bar shouldn't be held up as a model of sobriety."

• Cathie Adams - "Texas Families have hopes and dreams, and we want to be able to afford them."
• Prioritize spending to prevent budget from growing more than 6.2%

• Jenna White - Conservative budget draws a line in the sand at 6.2%

• Chuck DeVore - "Spending restraint leads to tangible gains."
• "We can do better."
• "We can do better by allowing free enterprise to flourish."
• Eliminate the margins tax -- more than enough money.
• Prioritize infrastructure over welfare or other wasteful spending.
• Restructure spending to get more bang for the buck (Talmadge Heflin)
• Within the past couple months, TxDOT has come up with $350 million for rail (MQS) 

The full paper:

The Conservative Texas Budget

Highlights:

• "Texas has had a large increase in its labor force during those years from out-of-state migration compared to a declining labor force in many areas....Clearly, as fast as people are moving to Texas, job creation is keeping pace."

• "Texas current limitations on government spending are not sufficient."

• "These limits represent maximum amounts for the Legislature to use when determining the cumulative amount appropriated for each government agency.  The Foundation believes that the Legislature could easily spend less than this and still ensure provision of basic public necessities.  Nonetheless, if the Legislature stays within these bounds in The Conservative Texas Budget, it will have taken a substantial step towards reining in the growth of Texas government.

After Action Report: Americans for Prosperity's #TXO summit

"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25

The greatest compliment this website can give a conference is that we didn't post anything during it because we were too busy enjoying it; on a scale of 1-10, this past weekend's Americans for Prosperity "Texas Online" conference deserves a rating higher than Barack Obama's national debt.

Dana Loesch kicked off the conference with an opening blitzkrieg.  Stating that "I don't believe in an objective media," Loesch explained she shows "no courtesy to people I don't respect."  Shannon Watts of Mom's Demand Boxed Wine Action would agree:



That being said, Loesch explained "I don't target someone unless I have a file on someone."  She spends at least an hour researching anyone she debates.  The purpose is to know you opponent better than they know themselves.

Avik Roy of Forbes magazine explained how to make policy arguments in an engaging manner.  His primary suggestion was specialization.  Your value, as an advocate, is the area that you know better than anyone else.  This website had to laugh hearing Avik Roy state that, considering that we cite his work on Medicaid all the time.  In addition, Roy explained that "when you use numbers with rigor, your political opponents can't ignore it."

At the end of the day Saturday, Steven Kruiser, Tony Katz, and Kurt Schlichter performed their hilarious new political humor show "tracked and targeted."  Because it's better to laugh that to cry at the current landscape, the show's value is obvious.  Also featured a long discussion about the sexual orientation of Larry O'Connor, which reached the obvious conclusion that Larry O'Connor's lack of fashion sense makes him
"the straightest man in America."

On Sunday, Lawerence Billy Jones spoke on a panel about how to appeal to minority groups.  He ripped the RNC's photo op approach; if conservatives are serious about engagement with groups that share our values but don't vote for our candidates, we have to understand that it will be a long, slow process.  We couldn't agree more.

Thanks also to Melissa Clouthier for opening her home for a party Friday night and to AFP for sponsoring an open bar on Saturday; that's all we're going to say on that topic.

Finally, although it wasn't part of the conference, on Sunday we also attended a service at the phenomenal Grace Church of the Woodlands with Texas Senate candidate Steve Toth.  Jonathan Cahn, who wrote the Harbinger, was the guest pastor.  He spoke about signs from the book that have continued to be filled since the book was published two years ago.  The fact that President Obama signed the beam with the relevant scripture is wild.  Kudos also to Pastor Steve Riggle, a stand-up guy who challenged his congregation to support efforts to challenge Houston's new censorship ordinance at the ballot box.

This was an unreal weekend.  We took in so much new information and met so many people that it's going to take a few days to absorb the whole thing.  But Americans for Prosperity (and Grace Church) did a phenomenal job!!!  We were incredibly blessed to participate in this weekend's activities.  Their next event is labor day weekend in Dallas.

Update: Bryan Preston has a lot more here.

Another decent vote from Congressman Roger Williams

From Americans for Prosperity -- Texas Facebook page:

How did Texas Congressional members vote on the $1.1 billion omnibus spending bill? House Vote 21 - Passes $1.1 Trillion Spending Bill.

....

Texas Members who voted NO:

....

Roger Williams R TX-25

Kudos to Roger; the other three Republican Congressmen from Travis County ought to be ashamed.

Local Government Debt: Threatening the Texas Model

TPPF Policy Orientation panel:
A Rising Tide: Local govt. debt.

James Quintero (TPPF); Beth Hallmark (Texas Comptroller's office); Peggy Venable (Americans for Prosperity -- Texas); Keith Self (County Judge -- Collin County); Ben Wilterdink (ALEC)

James Quintero:

• Local govt debt is a long-term threat to the Texas Model

• $323 billion total across the state; $12,500 per person.

• Since 2000: Local debt up 144%, Inflation + Population up 45%

Beth Hallmark:

• Tell the Truth Texas -- Website launched by comptrollers office in late 2013.

• Debt at a glance -- Putting all the information in one place.

• TexasTransparency.org

Peggy Venable:

• When local government debt grows, the public rarely knows.

• Texas ranks 46th nationally in debt service per government revenue.

• School Districts: $107 billion.  Municipalities: $96 billion.  Water districts: $50 billion.  Counties: $21 billion.  Special purpose districts: 

• Leander ISD owes TWICE as much interest as principle on their debt.

• What to do?!?
• Government goes to those who show up!
• City council, county commission, school boards.
• Let policymakers know how you feel; especially when you agree with them!

•  Policy Recmmendations
• Ban Local governments from using capital appreciation bonds.
• Require a minimum vter turnout to approve bond initiatives
• If a bond election fails, prohibit another election to be held for at least one calendar year.
• Ban taxpayer funded lobbying.
• Tighten standards for local debt issuance.
• Repeal the authority for local authorities to issue Certificates of Obligation in the first place.

Ben Wilterdink:

• Defined benefit pensions aren't sustainable.
• 8% annual ROI is a ridiculous assumption
• Government entities use different accounting methods than private companies.
• If a state doesn't contribute, beneficiaries don't have standing in court to sue.

• Solutions
• Zero based budgeting.
• Transparency
• Defined contribution for new hires.

Keith Self:

• Colin county is one of the fastest growing counties in America.

• Travis county debt per capita is only $585.

• 
  

Dana Loesch objures Obamacare Monday in Austin

Last night, we attended AFP-Texas' "Obamascare" event in Austin.  The night began with an informative discussion with John Davidson of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Beto Gonzales of the Libre Initiative.  They were followed by Tony Katz of Townhall.com.

The highlight of the night, however, was Dana Loesch; here are her remarks in full:



Highlights:

• She's moving to Texas "before Christmas."

• Her cousin and a good friend were recently diagnosed with breast cancer and have lost coverage due to Obamacare.
• There's a leading-edge cancer treatment center in St. Louis that will no longer accept Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield customers because of Obamacare.
• If Jay Carney wants to call that anecdotal, he can come to St. Louis and "say that to my cancer survivor friend's face."

• She knows how progressives work because "I used to be one of them."

• "It's really easy to be generous with someone else's money."

• Her Ob/Gyn is leaving the practice because of Obamacare.
• "Now I'm looking for a new ladydoc."

• The most spiteful thing you can do to a progressive is to convert them!

• "My 28 year old, male, single, radio producer now has to get maternity coverage."

• Obamacare is a Ponzi scheme.

Obamacare's ASTOUNDING impact on Texas

About an hour ago, we participated in a conference call with American's for Prosperity -- Texas and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.  The subject was Obamacare's impact on the individual insurance marketplace in Texas.  The information presented was staggering.

The biggest takeaway is that the price of individual insurance plans is going up, big time.  A 27 year old who currently purchases insurance in the individual marketplace will see their premiums increase by at least 98%.  35, 47, and 65 year olds will face similar increases.

The exchanges are a good deal only for very low income people.  Once your income is north of $30,000, you still face higher costs, but you don't qualify for any subsidies.  For most people, the insurance subsidies won't cover the increased costs.

The increased costs result from what are called 'essential health benefits.'  These are services that all health insurance plans must cover, regardless of consumer desires.  For example, men must now purchase maternity care and people without children must purchase pediatric care.

Obamacare will devastate America, and especially Texas.  Costs skyrocket while quality plummets.  Thanks to AFP and TPPF for highlighting this impact of this catastrophic law.

Thomas Ratliff: A Documented Liar

Today's Austin American-Statesman has dueling Op-Eds on CSCOPE.  Peggy Venable of Americans for Prosperity has a fantastic piece outlining the problems of CSCOPE.  State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff (R(ino) -- Microsoft) counters with a fraudulent and mendacious defense.

Ratliff asserts:

The allegations are also when extremists claim that CSCOPE is aligned with the Common Core curriculum promoted by the federal government. It’s simply not true. CSCOPE was developed by Texas educators for Texas educators to teach Texas standards to Texas kids. Period. Again, more fear-mongering.

Except for the fact that Linda Darling-Hammond helped design both:

CSCOPE documents also claim connection to Linda Hammond, a proponent of the nationalized Common Core movement that Texas has rejected in favor of its own standards.

 (Sidenote: Back in December, we broke a pretty big story on LDH's background).

---

Ratliff also claims:

The allegations are also when extremists talk about parents being denied access to what their children are being taught. If that’s the case, schools are breaking the law and should be held accountable. Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code provides for “Parental Rights and Responsibilities,” including the right to see what happens in their child’s classroom. The fact is many of these extremists are not parents of public school students. Don’t blame CSCOPE for following Texas law. In fact, CSCOPE lessons are now online for anyone to see. Yet the extremists still want it banned from the classrooms. Transparency obviously isn’t the issue. Censorship and winning a political battle is the issue.

 Cue Peggy Venable:

Last year, it took State Board of Education Chairman Barbara Cargill six months before she was finally granted access to the lesson plans. Parents were denied access to CSCOPE material in violation of state law, which requires lesson plans be available to them. [Emphasis Ours]

 In other words, Ratliff's co-board member experienced what Ratliff claims never happened.

---

In another whopper, Ratliff alleges:

The allegations are when the extremists talk about the “Communist” “Marxist” “Socialist” “anti-American” “pro-Muslim” curriculum. First, they need to make up their mind if it’s Communist, Marxist or Socialist. In a state as “red” as Texas, do people really believe kids are being taught to hate America?...These allegations are simply fear-mongering designed to incite a mob.

 Funny, because you can see these lessons here, or here, or here, or here, or here.

---

Thomas Ratliff is a smart guy.  He knows that what's he's saying isn't true, but he says it anyway.  That's why Thomas Ratliff is now a documented liar.

Americans for Prosperity and Texas "Freedom" Network Clash over CSCOPE

The audio is a little difficult to pick up at first, but this video speaks for itself:



Highlights:

• When Dan Quinn says no one was pressured over CSCOPE, he's either lying or he's disqualifyingly misinformed.

• Ditto on Parents being informed.

(h/t Texas Watchdog)

Americans for Prosperity pitches in for Oklahoma

Those dang evil Koch Brothers are at it again; from AFP's Oklahoma director:

The devastation in Oklahoma is tremendous.  Yesterday, a massive tornado hit the suburbs of Oklahoma City, destroying thousands of homes, a hospital and even two elementary schools.  The death toll stands at 24 souls and may yet rise, with so many in hospitals and others still unaccounted for.  Many of the victims were children, attending school yesterday.

As the state director of AFP-Oklahoma, I’m grateful that my family and all Oklahoma AFP staff are safe; but many of our friends and neighbors cannot say the same.  Our state chapter has at least a hundred residents living in the two worst affected cities, Moore and Newcastle.

To aid in disaster relief, I’ve asked AFP activists statewide to donate much needed items to the Salvation Army. The outpouring of support already given to our community is overwhelming.  If you would like to donate please consider giving directly tothe Salvation Army Disaster Relief here, by phone at (800)725-2769, or by text messaging “storm” to 80888 to donate $10 to relief and recovery efforts.

Keep Oklahoma in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.  You can get real-time updates by following #PrayForOklahoma on Twitter.

I know the people of Moore and Newcastle and I know we will rebuild.  But today is very difficult for us all.

That is what America is all about, coming together to overcome, to help each other. The AFP family of activists has been through a lot and accomplished many things, and we’ll get through this together.

Thank you again for your prayers and concern.

Sincerely,

Matt Ball
AFP-Oklahoma State Director

ACTION ALERT: YES ON SB 2!!!

After yet another abdication of responsibility by the Texas House over CSCOPE yesterday, conservatives justifiably feel like Charlie Brown with the football; nevertheless, a major school choice bill is scheduled to see the floor today.

From Americans for Prosperity -- Texas:

In Texas today, we have 315,000 students in over 500 failing schools.  Kids’ futures ride on one five-digit code which they have no control over:  their zip code.

Public schools assign kids to schools based on their zip codes.  We believe these students should have choices.  Charter schools provide choices.  Charter schools are public schools and have around 150,000 students enrolled.

Unfortunately, there are over 100,000 students on charter school waiting lists in Texas.  More would likely sign up but know that they have little chance of getting into a charter school.

....

Here are the highlights of SB 2:

• lifts the cap on charter schools
• the parent trigger provides an opportunity for schools to convert to home rule charter schools
• underutilized or unused schools would be available for charter schools; and
• limited funding would be provided to charter schools for facilities.

Read more: http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/newsroom/afp-testifies-on-sb-2-lifting-the-cap-on-charters/#ixzz2TTAoTa7X

 From the Texas Public Policy Foundation:

With more than 100,000 students currently waiting to attend public open-enrollment charter schools in Texas, the need to allow more of these schools to operate in Texas is obvious. By elevating the cap on open-enrollment charter schools from the current 215 to 305 in 2019, SB 2 creates opportunities for students to choose an education that best suits their needs, and empowers parents by making the Texas education system more competitive.

 You can contact your legislator here.

Open Letter from Conservatives to the #TXLEGE

To triage this ongoing disaster of a legislative session, fourteen conservative groups have released the following open letter to individual members of the Texas Legislature:

May 10, 2013

Honorable Members of the Texas Legislature: 

The Lone Star State has become a model of economic growth through careful adherence to

thoughtful fiscal discipline.However, there are some trying to push the state in the directionof more government, more spending, and more taxes.

We strongly urge the Legislature not to deviate from what has been a highly successful path.

Put simply: the Legislature should neither exceed the state's spending limit—by any amount—nor should dollars be removed from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) to pay for ongoing government expenses or new programs.

California stands as an example for us. In the 1980s, California's economy was thriving and tax receipts robust. Over the course of several decades, however, California lawmakers spent everything they had and ran up debt to boot. Today, the lusterless Golden State is no longer thought of as the nation’s economic powerhouse, and its finances are in notoriously poor shape.

Texas must avoid becoming like California.

Ensuring that Texas does not suffer this fate begins with prudent decision-making on the Economic Stabilization Fund. The ESF was established to address shortfalls in the budget arising from economic downturns. By allowing that fund to go untapped in recent years and maintaining a high level of liquidity, the state now enjoys the strongest possible bond rating— a tangible benefit to taxpayers.

Drawing out dollars for expenses that could (and should) otherwise be budgeted from General Revenues not only reduces liquidity and signals irresponsibility, but sets a dangerous precedent.

Similarly, in a time when revenues have increased more than 30 percent, lawmakers voting to exceed the state's spending limit put the Lone Star State on a collision course with future economic turbulence.

With the current administration in Washington doubling down on high taxes, increased debt, and downgraded credit ratings, it is more important than ever that Texas not downgrade itself.

Conservatives recognize that Texas has set a high standard and must continue to follow a

higher path. Legislators should reject calls to raid the ESF, and stand firm against “busting the

cap.”

Signatories:

60 Plus Association

ALEC

Americans for Prosperity—Texas

Americans for Tax Reform

Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

Grassroots America We the People

Institute for Policy Innovation

National Taxpayers Union

Texas Eagle Forum

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

Texas Legislature’s TEA Party Caucus Advisory Committee

Texas Public Policy Action

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Young Conservatives of Texas

 Cahnman's Musings endorses this letter.

ACTION ALERT: MAJOR CSCOPE Vote!!! (Yes on SB 1406)

One of the most important votes of the 83rd Texas Legislature will occur today when the Texas House votes on SB 1406.  If passed, this bill will take all things CSCOPE out of the hand of bureaucrats and place them under the supervision of Texas' elected State Board of Education.  This will begin to control CSCOPE.

From Concerned Women for America -- Texas:

Thank you for all your prayers, phone calls, and e-mails regarding SB 1406 "The CSCOPE bill". This has been the major bill we have been working on since day one of session, and we are getting excellent movement on this bill. SB 1406 will be heard tomorrow on the House floor. CWA of Texas will be there. If this bill passes as written, it is an exact match to the Senate version, and we believe it will head straight to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. CWA of Texas believes CSCOPE needs to have oversight by the State of Texas because it was paid for using federal, state, and local tax dollars. That is what makes CSCOPE different from any curriculum in this state. It was created with Texas tax dollars. If our House members do not support this bill, they are saying to Texans that it is OK for a non-transparent, unaccountable, un-elected bureaucrat to run amuck with millions of our tax dollars and the hearts and minds of our children with their slanted materials.

 From Americans for Prosperity -- Texas:

Chrmn Patrick and Sen. Donna Campbell sponsored SB 1406 which does the same.  A hearing was held April 2 and passed out of committee April 4^th with a vote of 7-0. The April 2^nd hearing can be viewed here: Senate Education (Part 1) and Senate Education (Part 2).
It is clear some Senators are not open to public review of CSCOPE and we encourage their constituents to be asking why.

We encourage citizens to take action, talk to your school board and see if your district uses CSCOPE and if it does, work to get it out of your District.  Call your legislators and ask them to support SB 1406 and HB 760.  Help educate more citizens on what is going on in our schools by joining AFP-Texas.

Read more: http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/legislativealerts/cscope-of-c-scam/#ixzz2TMyyAqcP

 While the General Session of the 83rd Texas Legislature has been a bust for conservatives, we can still get CSCOPE under control.  Let's salvage something.  Call your legislator NOW and urge them to vote YES on SB1406!!!

Find your legislator here.

AFP-Texas: The Ugly Numbers on AISD debt and spending

Americans for Prosperity -- Texas breaks down the numbers on the AISD bond election:

Teachers comprise only 52% of the ISD staff

And only 49% of the ISD revenue is spent on instruction

And the Superintendent – as of TEA’s last listing – is making base salary of over $285,000

AISD debt is currently just over $1.1 billion

• Approximately $751 million in principal and
• $372 million in interest

AISD student enrollment has grown 8.9% at under 1% a year over the past 10 years according to TEA:

• In 2001, enrollment was 77,816;
• In 2011, enrollment was 85,273

Yet spending almost doubled – 71.12% increaseFrom $547 million to $936 million
And the ISD fund balance grew an astounding 117.647% in 10 years.

• $68 million in 2001 to $148 million in 2001-10

The bond package proposed would more than double AISD debt.
Let’s remember the current principal is $750.5 million; This bond package is for over $892 million.

Read more: http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/legislativealerts/aisd-bond-election-loving-our-kids-to-debt/#ixzz2SZ8bxieq

 This is lot of debt to burden ourselves and our children with over the next thirty years.  A low turnout May election that maximizes the special interest vote is not an appropriate forum.  Let's slow this process down;  Vote AGAINST AISD Bonds 1 - 4.

Disabled Texans Deserve School Choice

Couldn't have said it better myself:

Governor Rick Perry on Limiting Spending, School Choice, and Medicaid

Governor Rick Perry spoke to Texas Bloggers tonight thanks to Americans for Prosperity -- Texas.  The Governor had about ten minutes of opening remarks then took questions for 25 minutes.  The following are from my notes:

• Conservative fiscal policies have "consistently paid dividends" through good times and bad.

• While the Legislature is in town: "everyone wants a piece of the money."

• The basics: Keep spending and taxes low, predictable regulatory climate, fair court system.

• Not only should Texas hold the line on taxes, we should lower the tax burden.

• Texas has the third highest High School graduation rates in the U.S. today.

• Different children learn with different goals in mind.

• Allow education dollars to follow the Child.

• I "really support" Dan Patrick on School Choice.

• Medicaid:
• We could have a healthier population for less money but Washington refuses to allow us to spend our own money how we see fit.
• Washington is going to run out of money in 3-4 years, at which point the states will be on the hook for the full cost; that's when they're going to start pushing single-payer.

• Texas Budget Compact:
• We began the process early so the idea could be distilled properly.
• The Legislature "will vote on this."
• Straus will "allow the will of the House to prevail."

• Other than that, the Governor also discussed various ideas for tax relief; while the Governor hasn't committed to any particular idea, he did promote this website for any Texans who want to make suggestions as to what form tax relief should take.

Update: Pondering Penguin has more here.

Dallas Morning News: University Administrators raise tuition and (their own) pay

The Dallas Morning News has a not surprising examination of administrator salaries in the University of Texas system:

Some top Texas university and college administrators have received double-digit raises in the past year, even as the state has struggled with deep cuts to higher education programs and exploding tuition costs for students.

Administrators did best:

Statewide, top university administrators received a 4.2 percent increase in salary from fiscal 2011 to 2013, a time of deep budget cuts in many state programs, including student financial aid. The raises totaled about $3 million.

University system administrators received a 9 percent increase in the same period, close a $1 million total.

Teachers, meanwhile, didn't do nearly as well:

Professors largely didn’t enjoy the same types of boosts. Statewide, full-time professors received a 0.7 percent increase in salary from fiscal 2011 to 2012, the difference of about $765.

 'Coincidentally':

Over roughly the same period, statewide tuition increased about 9 percent as well.

 Read the whole thing here.