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XZ, why don't we shutdown your beloved Fort Sam and its guvmit civil servants and spend the money on education?
Yeah, it is a Republican state now. But look what is coming down the pike.
And look at Castros twin brother. He is running in a safe district for Congress, unfortunately for me, it is my district. And he will be elected. I am still trying to figure out why Gonzalez is stepping out. But he is a good Democrat.
And about the tax, they will figure out a way to get a tax passed. just mark my word it will happen. It is for the children, don't you know!
XZ, why don't we shutdown your beloved Fort Sam and its guvmit civil servants and spend the money on education?
Hey dipship, that is what you have your wonderful first lady for, taking care of the service members and their wife, along with Joe's wifey.
Besides, you don't want a hospital to take care of our members of the military who suffer the wounds of war to keep your communist ass safe.
When are you moving back to Europe? So you can live the good life.
That's easy.
Defense is a legitimate cons utional role of the Federal Government
Education isn't
Good catch!
A great open letter from Councilman Soules.
On August 9, 2012 the San Antonio City Council voted on calling a Special Sales Tax Election
to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. The sales tax will fund the "San Antonio Early
Childhood Education Municipal Development Corporation" Below is a transcript of Councilman
Soules remarks.
I want to start by thanking everyone who has dedicated their time, energy and talent to this
endeavor. My thanks to the Brainpower task force, City leaders both past and present, the City
staff, and the many cons uents who have weighed in on this subject, both here in person, and
back in the district.
I came into this process with an open mind and firmly believe in supporting education.
I also did a lot of research and met with educators throughout the city. After careful review I
personally am not supportive of this initiative for reasons I will discuss today. However, a lot of
people whose opinion I respect are supportive. I am willing to admit I don’t know it all.
Ultimately I will support letting it go to the voters to decide, but will join Councilwoman Chan
and Councilman Williams in opposing the creation of the Municipal Corporation.
Now that I have said that I will share my concerns for the record.
1) I don’t believe we should be so eager to go it alone vs. working with the State for a long term
solution for early education. The Texas Early Learning Council, is wrapping up a 3 year study
on improving Pre-K in the state ofTexas. I would suggest that it is prudent to at least see their
recommendations before we walk away.
2) Educational Spending on Pre-K through 12
th
grade in San Antonio exceeds $4 billion a year.
This is almost twice COSA’s entire annual budget. To put it in perspective; this $30 million
dollar a year program is like earning $50,000 a year and getting a $350 bonus. It’s nice to
have but it will not dramatically change your life. I would be very cautious in our expectations.
3) While I agree that state funding has been cut this last year, I am not sure that the situation is
as dire as claimed. According to a report issued by the State Comptrollers office, over the last
decade,Texaseducational spending has increased 95%, five times faster than the increases in
enrollment or the rate of inflation.
4) While small when compared to education spending in SA, this program will still cost a qtr. of
a Billion dollars over the next 8 years. In a city with a tight budget, rising costs, $6 billion
dollars of needed road repair and a billion dollars of sidewalk issues identified. We should at
least be debating why PRE-K trumps important basic city needs; especially when it is not our
area of expertise or our primary responsibility.
Regarding the actual program presented today. I have many concerns but will focus on just a
few.
First, I have asked and not received an answer on the current state of Pre K in San Antonio or
how we benchmark vs. the rest of the state and our peer groups around the country. Nor have Ibeen told who is failing to provide quality Pre-K in SA and why. How can we recommend any
program without knowing where we stand today?
Second, there has been a lot of discussion about half day programs being a bad thing. The term
being used is underserved. But the Northeast, Northside school districts and many private
schools rely on half day programs. Somehow they are able to deliver higher performance in
third grade reading than districts offering full day Pre-k programs. How is this possible? We
need to either explain this discrepancy clearly or stop denigrating successful half day programs.
Third, while there are aspects of this plan that are appealing I don’t understand the necessity of
a brick and mortar heavy program. It seems like there is a lot of money dedicated to buildings,
administration, and overhead – but less on the kids. This program is slated to serve half of the
number of kids we said needed to be served just a few weeks ago. Why? Additionally there are
huge unresolved transportation and logistical issues inherent in a centralized program.
Fourth, this program merely shifts children from the school districts already fully funded
program to our new more expensive program. I still do not understand how it addresses the
issue of children who are qualified but whose parents are not taking advantage of current
programs being offered.
Finally, over the last day I have read through all of the supporting do entation related to
today’s vote. Here is what I have learned.
Most folks I speak with are under the assumption that they will be voting specifically on the
program that we have discussed over the last month. That is not the case.
They will actually be voting to Authorize the City to increase the sales tax which will be
administered by a newly formed Municipal Corporation. Who will then have wide la ude to
change, enhance, or develop new programs as defined in Chapter 379A, Texas Local Govt.
Code, also known as the BETTER JOBS ACT.
To put it in layman’s terms, as written today, this proposal will give a new unelected
bureaucracy the wiggle room necessary to alter the program and do what they want without
going back to the voters for approval. There is nothing in the ordinance that requires the
corporation to implement the ideas presented to either council or the public.
As a council, we have spent no time whatsoever discussing both the authority and limitations we
need to put on this bureaucracy. I view this ordinance to be a contract with the voters. Again, I
believe that this program is well intentioned and I applaud the supporters of it for wanting to
improve education.
To restate my opinion I am not personally supportive of this measure. However, I believe the
voters of District 10 are wise enough to make a good decision and deserve to have their voices
heard
ing BOOM! goes the dynamite.
The Councilman has it right.
I would point out, however, that San Antonio is the only city of any size in Texas that has not maxxed out its cons utionally allowed taxing authority. FWIW.
Some of the programs are only half-time, and the offerings vary wildly from school system to school system.First, I have asked and not received an answer on the current state of Pre K in San Antonio or
how we benchmark vs. the rest of the state and our peer groups around the country. Nor have Ibeen told who is failing to provide quality Pre-K in SA and why. How can we recommend any
program without knowing where we stand today?
I think the Mayor's office should do a MUCH better job of explaining why it is needed in the first place, for people to make better decisions.
As it is, I'm not altogether convinced of the efficacy, based on my own research.
I would also add to his letter that State sales tax receipts are booming because of Eagleford Shale and more money may be available from the state soon.
Thank you Castro for setting us up with this bull just so you could pad your stats for the HUD position.
ing ass.
Rumor is he may also be first in line to run with Hillary...
Hillary/Castro 2016...can you imagine that?
I'd say the chance of that is less than half of one percent. He needs more on the resume.
what's your SPECIFIC objection to widely proven, endorsed (esp for poor kids) pre-K education?
Probably need to get an adult to read this thread to you.
^ it's this thinking that got this passed so easily.
I agree with this:
it was nothing more than something for Castro to put on his resume.
It's really a genius political move on his part, tbh, that paid off in spades.
Dude, this is all you do isn't it? Bug bug and bug, wow!
Castro isn't here.
What are you doing in here?
Lol
lol Avante ankle biting.
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