Via email from a reader at Rice, there will be a town hall meeting at Rice University on Wednesday, led by State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, to discuss school finance reform. Click the More link for time, place, and details.
School Finance Town Hall Meeting
The Texas Legislature is currently in a special session on school finance. Senator Eliot Shapleigh will present his proposal to create a 21st Century Texas Education Excellence Fund to improve the quality of Texas schools in the Houston area. The presentation includes an overview of the current school finance "Robin Hood" system and other school finance options in Texas. Following the presentation there will be a 45 minute discussion, question and answer period.
EVENT:
School Finance Town Hall Meeting
WHERE:
Baker Hall
International Conference Facility
6100 Main Street
Houston, Texas
Parking: Entrance 13, underground parking available at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management
DATE:
Wednesday, May 12, 2004
TIME:
6:00 p.m.
Under Senator Shapleigh's proposed plan, the 21st Century Texas Education Excellence Fund will be created by a popular vote as set forth in Article 24 of the Texas Constitution and will include a 5 percent flat tax, 2/3rds of which will be dedicated to cutting property taxes and the remaining 1/3 dedicated to creating quality schools. Any increase to this fund must be decided by the Texas voters.
A Scripps Howard Texas Poll conducted in May 2003, found that 52 percent of those surveyed would vote for a 21st Century Texas Education Excellence Fund supported by an income tax, if it met these conditions. As part of the presentation that he has given numerous times across the state, Senator Shapleigh asks the audience to vote on the tax options to raise revenue needed for education. Despite current belief among some state politicians that Texans will not vote for an Education Excellence Fund based on a 5 percent income tax, audiences in El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas have overwhelmingly voted in favor of the plan.
Please contact Brie Franco at (512) 463-0129 if you have any questions regarding this event.