Thursday, September 29, 2011

School Funding Issues

Our Texas government makes it seem that education is one of the top priorities. However, funding schools continues to be a difficult situation, and will affect everyone that attends public schools. An editorial from the Austin American Statesman is called Politics Aside, School Funding a Real Plight. This editorial is an argument between the school district and how politicians are handling the financial funding. There is a current lawsuit that has been filed by a number of public school districts because they believe their funding has been unfair. John Sharp, Texas comptroller, stated that the school finance legislation that passes in 2005 is not performing as planned by Rick Perry.  Also, Seven Ogden, chairman of senate finance committee, resigned from his job because he didn’t agree with how the legislators were handling this financial issues with the schools. How will this affect our school system if this lawsuit goes though? It could mean that judges will be deciding how to fund schools and not the legislators. This editorial shows that this may continue to increase or decrease our taxes depending on the outcome. This issue with funding schools will not be solved fully until the legislature meets again in 2013. Rob Eissler of the house public education committee, said, “You don’t want the courts writing your schools finance law. It ties your hands.”
This editorial shows detailed proof of how local school taxes have changed over the years and how graduation rates continue to plummet because of poor funding. This argument between politicians and school districts appeals to an audience of local voters that are involved in the Texas school districts. I believe this editorial was well persuaded to its audience. This subject of how politics are handling the school funding issues is a great example of how politician just want another voter, and don’t truly deal with the issues.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Mandatory Meningitis Vaccination

Texas has recently passed a law that all college students under 30  need to recieve a meningitis vaccination. Students will not be able to enroll in classes if vaccination is not obtained or may opt out for a specific reason.  According to the,  Austin American Statesmen, there is a mandatory law that all full time or living on campus students will need to receive the meningitis vaccination.  Meningitis is an infection and inflammation around the brain and spinal cord.  This disease can be fatal.  This law was passed after Jamie Schanbaum contracted the disease and almost lost her life. Thankfully, she had fought through this horrible bacteria, but it took her legs and fingers.  Jamie and her family pushed for the legislators to make vaccination mandatory for college students.  Meningitis is on the rise in the Austin area, so go get vaccinated. This is a health hazard for all students. This laws will effect all of us that are going to college.  In this article,  Mandatory Meningitis, they interviewed Kathleen Christianson,  vice president of student support at Austin Community College. She stated, " That ACC will notify students through email,  posters, website and it will eventually be a part of the admission process." Sounds like this vaccination might keep students out of school if they don't receive the meningitis vaccination before January 2012. The State Government may be a lot closer to us than we think.