AUSTIN – Last week State Representative Phil King (R- Weatherford), at the request of schoolteachers and superintendents, signed on as co-author to HB 2491. In an effort to support teachers in the classroom, HB 2491 implements a two year moratorium to suspend all state mandated testing and assessments for a period ending September 30, 2013. In addition, superintendents may apply funds or appropriations originally intended for this testing to support teacher jobs and the resources they need.
King stated, “In these tough economic times and with the projected budget shortfall Texas is facing, it is important that we keep in mind how hard our educators work and not add to their workload with new mandates, especially in light of possible budget cuts to school districts.”
The cost for testing, which can easily go well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in a school district, can be staggering.
“We have to change the way we are asking schools to do business and help them lower their costs,” King said, “This legislation is a step in the right direction.”
Public Servant King – when are we putting this nonsense to bed, and eliminating TOLL ROADS ?
Trans Texas Corridor Resurrected in HB 3789 – ???!
On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee will hear a slew of bills (HB 2186, HB 2388, HB 2801, HB 2985, HB 3561, HB 3563-HB 3565, HB 3734) to privatize and toll tax TX roads, the worst being HB 3789 that re-creates the Trans Texas Corridor and that grants a blanket authorization for these contracts called Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to be done in SECRET, without financial disclosures, and with NO sunset provision, so the authority is indefinite!
It’s the Trans Texas Corridor resurrected (in 284.003 C. (7) of HB 3789 it authorizes these contracts in the TTC chapter of the code) and MUST BE STOPPED! The House Transportation Committee will meet Wednesday, March 30 at 8 AM in Rm. E2.028.
These are sweetheart deals that have profit guarantees, massive public subsidies (ALL Texans’ gas taxes), low interest taxpayer-backed loans (TIFIA loans or Private Activity Bonds), non-compete agreements that prohibit or penalize the expansion of surrounding free roads, and we’re seeing published toll rates for these types of contracts starting at 80 PER MILE to drive in peak hours! These CDAs socialize the losses and privatize the profits for a HALF CENTURY!
Another bill, HB 2432 (by John Davis), that would give a blanket authorization to enter into these types of agreements (for any road & other infrastructure projects in Texas) is also being heard on Wednesday, March 30 at 8 AM in Rm. E2.014.
the hits just keep on coming, folks –
SB 1700 (Williams): This bill would establish checkpoints to check for car insurance. Is this a precedent we want to set? Papers please????
SB 1696 (Williams): This bill will establish a pilot program for license plate readers and cameras so the state can track you everywhere you drive.
Hmm……did East German Stasi propose those 2 ?
Well informed you are! these bills will be in committee and will probably make to the floor for consideration. these are the types of things that put the taxpayer under the bus. Bluto you are not a bad guy just shy I guess.