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Not going to happen......
http://www.ksat.com/news/MALDEF-seek...0/-/1lhpq7z/-/
A group of low-income school districts across Texas filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the state over the way it funds education.
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) alleges in the lawsuit that the state's current school finance system is inequitable and puts low-income and English-learning students at a disadvantage.
Edgewood ISD here in San Antonio is one of four Texas school districts that have joined the lawsuit brought by three parents.
David Hinojosa, MALDEF's Southwest Regional Counsel, said at a news conference there is a $1,000 gap between students in low-income schools compared to those in higher income districts.
"Everyone of these kids deserves a chance to go to college if they want to. Everyone deserves a chance to earn scholarships," Hinojosa said.
Under the current school finance system, Hinojosa said Edgewood elementary students don't have the same chance to make it to college as their peers in higher income districts.
In the suit, MALDEF alleges that the state's system of using property taxes as the major source of revenue for schools creates an unfair system. Districts with higher property values are located in higher income areas and generate more revenue for their school's. Districts that are property poor, like Edgewood, generate less revenue creating the gap.
Hinojosa said even if those districts tax property owners at the maximum level of $1.17, there is still a significant gap.
Rather than forcing property-rich districts to tax owners at a lower level, MALDEF believes the answer is for the state to make up the difference. Hinojosa said the state has a variety of options to help level the playing field.
"Don't be fooled by the cuts they've been putting in, they have substantial funds in the rainy day fund, that they could use," Hinojosa said. "They could close business loopholes, they could have a soda tax. There's all sorts of different sources of revenue out there."
Without the state's help, MALDEF believes the property-poor districts will not have adequate funds to help students reach new state standards and college-readiness goals.
Hinojosa said ultimately, the long-term solution to the funding problem is for the legislature to create a more equitable system and that's what they hope to accomplish with the lawsuit.
Not going to happen......
we were doing fine till the assholes ed about robin hood.
I don't see the point of yardmen and roofers going to college.
TXans voted to cut property taxes back 2006 and now they about JimmyRicky cutting $Bs from the school budget.
Repugs are very skilled in exploiting a gut issue like "evil taxes confiscated by evil govt" while assuming the voters are too stupid and ignorant to add 2 + 2. Works every time.
So people who pay less for their house and taxes want someone else to bail them out who pay more for their real estate, and school? got it.
More like people who live in school districts populated with cheap houses don't think their kids should have to receive a lesser education simply because the houses in their school districts don't cost as much as the houses in another school district. They've got a point.
We already do. The property tax revenue is sent to the state, re-split and sent back to the districts "equally".
This really isn't about education...It's about figuring out how the 48% that don't currently pay income tax can get out of paying property tax too...
what percentage of people who pay no income tax own their home? just curious.
They live somewhere. Property tax is an item that affects rent cost as well.
BTW, the whole "poor school districts have less money than rich school districts" is a lie.
In the last state report that ranked schools by performance and also by dollars spent, Northside ISD spent $7310 per student and received a 4 star rating and San Antonio ISD spent $8236 per student and got a 1 1/2 star rating.
I don't think this is entirely true. IIRC, the state siphons something off the top that goes into the big pot for redistribution, but the majority of the property tax revenue stays with the district.
in other words, that bit about evading property taxes was a petulant outburst rather than a closely reasoned point.
appreciate the clarification.
Certainly a fair counterpoint that more $/student doesn't guarantee improved academic performance.
If they have to pay $800 a month rent instead of $700 a month rent (where the landlord makes the same profit margin when they don't have to pay property tax) then that property tax is costing them $100 a month. How is that hard to understand? The consumer always pays the tax in the end.
:delete
That is admirable. However I doubt their neighborhood has dramatically changed in the past five years. I doubt their school district they moved into took a noise dive since they moved in. Fact is, in the past 40 years these schools have been the same high crime, high drug, low income schools. They chose to move into these districts. They made that choice as adults. Why is it someone else's problem to fix it. Their are low income houses on the Northside and Northeast school districts. East Central and SW too. Those districts also have higher school district taxes. People make the choice to pay more for taxes so their kid goes to a better school. freedom of choice.
Great point.
therefore, renters are seeking to avoid property taxesIf they have to pay $800 a month rent instead of $700 a month rent (where the landlord makes the same profit margin when they don't have to pay property tax) then that property tax is costing them $100 a month. How is that hard to understand? The consumer always pays the tax in the end.
logic is fun
Unfortunately, the real difference in student performance is not low quality housing but rather low quality parents.
I agree that alot of our schools are terrible examples to educate our future kids. I think we should have a voucher system. Let the kids go to a school that they think will help them advance better. However I don't think making all schools mediocre is a better answer-logically or morally.
c'mon Winehole. You are smarter than that. Renters pay the property tax. They just don't write the check to Sylvia Romo.
you stand by the accuracy of your remark. love the tenacity, but sometimes it serves you ill.
I've never liked the idea of property taxes going to school districts.
Taxing income to pay for public education makes too much more sense?
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