By Stephen Whitley, KERA 90.1 commentator
Dallas, TX –
Governor Perry has finally put an end to his laissez-faire attitude toward school funding. In a rare show of leadership, Perry sternly told lawmakers he was calling into special session. "I haven't the inclination nor the patience to study this issue any longer. Neither do everyday Texans who have seen their property taxes continue to rise." Despite his use of a double negative and his chiding tone, it doesn't seem very many lawmakers are paying attention. Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick both said they would "look at" Perry's plan, but promised nothing. It seems the governor's words are full of sound and fury, but signify nothing more than a belated attempt to exhibit some leadership on an issue that has been around for years.
Since the 1993 Robin Hood school funding law was passed, citizens in property rich school districts have been trying to overturn the law. To many, the redistribution of funds from property rich districts to poorer districts established a quasi socialistic state right here in the Lone Star State. Citizens in property rich districts decry the fact that their tax dollars are going to poor schools while the quality of their children's education suffers. My question has always been, why should children who happen to be poor be any less deserving of a quality education than those children who happen to be from wealthier families? My personal feelings aside, I don't think Governor Perry's plan does a lot to make school funding more fair.
First of all, Perry wants to raise the state sales tax from 6.25% to 6.95% while decreasing property taxes from $1.50 to $1.20 per $100 valuation. This increases the tax burden on poor Texans who do not own property and therefore will not realize any benefit from property tax relief. Perry also wants to increase the mandatory homestead exemption from $15,000 to $22,000 which would be the same as lowering the tax rate for property an additional 5 cents. Perry's plan expands the sales tax to cover auto repairs, cosmetic surgery and computer repairs. Perry also wants to close the loopholes in franchise taxes and increase professional fees the state charges doctors, lawyers, and architects. Perry has proposed a raise in teacher pay and additional funds for new textbooks and technology. Yet, leaders in his own party seem unimpressed. Lt. Gov. Dewhurst has said the sales tax increase is virtually dead on arrival as most senators don't want to have the highest sales tax in the country, a sure way to drive away business development. Speaker Craddick is equally unimpressed with Perry's plan, saying, "We'll hear his plan in committee, just like we did the others."
It's difficult to understand why Perry has chosen now to get off the fence in regard to school finance. Perhaps Senator Hutchinson's announcement that she would not run for Governor made him so giddy with excitement that he decided now was time to play tough guy and show some political moxie in order to scare away other contenders.
If that is the case, it hardly seems to be working. If a governor can't even get members of his own party leadership to say nice things about his proposal, he's in real trouble.
Stephen Whitley is a writer from Dallas. If you have opinions or rebuttals about this commentary, call (214) 740-9338 or email us.