Texas Schools Endure Sweeping Budget Cuts
February 15, 2011
by Reno Berkeley
Thanks to Rick Perry and friends, Texas schools are experiencing the biggest
budget cuts since World War II. School administrators are scrambling to get
creative with what little funding they do have while grimacing at the cuts
they’ll have to make. State support for public schools is already the lowest
in the nation.
According to the Star News, the city of Houston’s schools stand to lose 15
to 20 percent of their current budget. Dallas schools are contemplating of
eliminating 4,000 jobs, while Austin administrators may have to let go up to
1,000 workers.
Where’s the money?
While Democratic legislators bemoan the lack of money and a sluggish
economy, Perry evidently thinks things are great in Texas.
“Have the doomsayers forgotten that Texas added more jobs in 2010 than any
other state?” Perry said. “Last year, the growth rate of Texas jobs was
nearly double that of any other top ten states.”
Let’s get this straight. Texas schools are set to be hit with oppressive
budget cuts under Perry’s efforts to balance the budget, while at the same
time, saying things are hunkey-dorey? Talk about speaking with a forked
tongue, amigo.
So again, why the budget cuts? Texas has a rainy-day fund for just such a
purpose: to bail out schools in need. The fund has more then $9.4 billion in
it.
And yet, Perry, in his infinite wisdom, would rather have children and
teachers suffer than to use money that could benefit Texas schools.
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