I have written about the budget crisis we are facing here in Texas many times. I've read articles about athletic directors being grossly overpaid, important services being sacrificed to save money, and money going to a state program that isn't even working. Now, I've finally read a blog that talks about an excellent idea that can bring a lot of money to the state to help us with the budget. On March 3, 2011, the "Texas Politics" blog posted up an article titled "Gambling Anywhere But Texas" written by Tri Nguyen. In it, Nguyen breaks down the billions of Texan dollars being spent gambling in neighboring states. Nguyen also points out that not everyone is a gambler, and gives alternate ideas like adding shopping malls and restaurants in addition to the casinos in order to attract even more tourists.
Nguyen presented a very thought out argument. Texas has tons of open land that the state can build wonderful tourist attractions, like the ones Nguyen wrote about. I think its about time Texas got a major, family oriented theme park, like Disneyland or Legoland. The taxes the state would be collecting from these attractions would greatly help our budget crisis, if not end it completely. Texas is one of the biggest states and has many possibilities. Like Nguyen said, building major casinos, family theme parks, luxurious shopping malls, and maybe even a man made lake is sure to attract vacationing families from Texas and other surrounding states as well.
It was a pleasure reading such a well written and thought out article. It makes me wonder, if a college student can see what a great idea this is, why can't the intelligent and educated people of the state see it too?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
I Say NO!
I just read an article that was published May 1, 2011 on Statesman.com titled, "Did state subsidies add jobs? Maybe not" by Laylan Copelin. The article talks about the Texas Back to Work Program created by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst in 2009. The program provides monthly subsidies to employers hiring new people for up to four months. The program is intended to provide new job positions to decrease the number of people on unemployment. It was so popular that spent its state funded $16.3 million in months and then the state added an additional $5.1 million from federal funds. The U.S. Department of Labor even gave it an award for being an innovative program. Dewhurst feels this program was a big success so he is trying to extend the program with $15 million in state funds. Asking for such a large amount of money in this economy, I would expect this program to be working wonders, but it fails to meet my expectations by a long shot.
This program is giving $500 a month to companies for the first four months a new hire is employed hoping that this will create new positions but it is in no way accomplishing it. Aegis Communications received up to $740,000 for filling positions they would've had to fill either way. An Allied Barton Security Service's regional human resources director said the program allowed them to hire people that were unqualified for the position but they would've filled those positions even if the program had not existed. It sounds to me that call centers like Aegis Communications are able to receive such a high subsidy because people are constantly quitting, so they are always looking for new hires. I agree with Daniel Hamermesh, a University of Texas Economist, that argues that you should "Only get the subsidy if you have more employees at the end of the year." Employers should not get the subsidy if they just hire a new person. They should get it only if they create a new job position for that new person to fill.
Considering the state budget is nowhere in the good shape it was in 2009 when this program was created, we should consider ending it. I do believe the program is a great idea but other contingencies should be met and it should be ran quite differently. The program failed to comply with its intended purpose so I strongly believe the money should go to more important places like the teachers and state employees who face losing their jobs.
This program is giving $500 a month to companies for the first four months a new hire is employed hoping that this will create new positions but it is in no way accomplishing it. Aegis Communications received up to $740,000 for filling positions they would've had to fill either way. An Allied Barton Security Service's regional human resources director said the program allowed them to hire people that were unqualified for the position but they would've filled those positions even if the program had not existed. It sounds to me that call centers like Aegis Communications are able to receive such a high subsidy because people are constantly quitting, so they are always looking for new hires. I agree with Daniel Hamermesh, a University of Texas Economist, that argues that you should "Only get the subsidy if you have more employees at the end of the year." Employers should not get the subsidy if they just hire a new person. They should get it only if they create a new job position for that new person to fill.
Considering the state budget is nowhere in the good shape it was in 2009 when this program was created, we should consider ending it. I do believe the program is a great idea but other contingencies should be met and it should be ran quite differently. The program failed to comply with its intended purpose so I strongly believe the money should go to more important places like the teachers and state employees who face losing their jobs.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Only in Texas...
On April 5, 2011, the "One for all and all for Texas" blog posted up an article titled "Danger, Danger" by lupita89, also known as Sandra Rangel. The blog talks about how Texas lawmakers are considering passing a law allowing people to carry a concealed handgun inside school, bars, and churches. It talks about how it seems that lawmakers are only looking out for themselves since they use what happened to Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford as a scare tactic. Rangel also talks about how bill is shocking since it even considers allowing people to take a firearm to church, which is a very sacred place to many people.
Rangel's intended audience are all of the people in Texas since everybody will be affected if this law is passed. She seems very credible since she states what the requirements will be to carry a concealed weapon and even goes into detail about how these requirements are flawed. She makes a claim about how it seems that the author is not thinking about your every day people since the article does not mention how a citizen will be protected with this new bill or about any restrictions this bill will have.
I agree with Ms. Rangel's arguments since I think this bill would end up doing more damage than good. Considering this bill will allow people to carry a handgun into a bar, where people often drink pass their limit, worries me greatly. A place of worship should never be compromised with a weapon so it honestly disgusts me that it might be legal in the future. I think the lawmakers should really think long and hard about the negative outcomes this bill will have if passed.
Rangel's intended audience are all of the people in Texas since everybody will be affected if this law is passed. She seems very credible since she states what the requirements will be to carry a concealed weapon and even goes into detail about how these requirements are flawed. She makes a claim about how it seems that the author is not thinking about your every day people since the article does not mention how a citizen will be protected with this new bill or about any restrictions this bill will have.
I agree with Ms. Rangel's arguments since I think this bill would end up doing more damage than good. Considering this bill will allow people to carry a handgun into a bar, where people often drink pass their limit, worries me greatly. A place of worship should never be compromised with a weapon so it honestly disgusts me that it might be legal in the future. I think the lawmakers should really think long and hard about the negative outcomes this bill will have if passed.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Cut the 911 Budget!
I just read an article titled "State budget bill amendment includes money to save 911-answering services" written by Suzannah Gonzalez on April 5, 2011, and I liked what I read. Finally, a budget cut that does not involve schools! Rep. Paul Workman, R-Austin, proposes cutting the budget for 911 answering services which would especially affect services in Lago Vista, Lakeway, West Lake Hills, Leander, Taylor, Elgin, Luling and Smithville since officials say they have the slowest call traffic. The budget would be lowered twenty-seven percent to $15.3 million, but of course it would have to be evaluated to see how exactly this budget cut would affect their performance.
I say yes! All this talk about cutting our teaching staff and shutting down schools is horrible, especially if we can cut in other areas where there is margin to cut. This proposal is asking to shutter the 911 answering services in slow cities, which that alone would save the state $814,000 in just two years and since it is going to be evaluated, people should not worry about response time being slower. There are other parts to this bill since, in total, it would save the state a total of $5.6 million in proposed cuts. I have to say that the fact that law enforcement agencies oppose this bill worries me, but since it is going to be evaluated by intelligent people, calms me down quite a bit. The article also briefly mentioned that two currently vacant positions were also proposed to be cut. As long as our education is not being hurt and it does not greatly affect our safety, I'm all for it!
I say yes! All this talk about cutting our teaching staff and shutting down schools is horrible, especially if we can cut in other areas where there is margin to cut. This proposal is asking to shutter the 911 answering services in slow cities, which that alone would save the state $814,000 in just two years and since it is going to be evaluated, people should not worry about response time being slower. There are other parts to this bill since, in total, it would save the state a total of $5.6 million in proposed cuts. I have to say that the fact that law enforcement agencies oppose this bill worries me, but since it is going to be evaluated by intelligent people, calms me down quite a bit. The article also briefly mentioned that two currently vacant positions were also proposed to be cut. As long as our education is not being hurt and it does not greatly affect our safety, I'm all for it!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Conservative Republican or Liberal Democrat?
On March 23, 2011, "The Empower Texans" blog posted an article titled "A Murphy/White Tax" by Andrew Kerr. The article is mainly about Rep. Jim Murphy proposing House Bill 1454 which widens the scope for hotel taxes. Which is extremely odd since part of the reason why people voted for him was because he promised to protect the citizens from tax increases.
Kerr's intended audience is the taxpaying citizens of Texas, more specifically, Houston. The author is very credible since he provides an example of Mayor Bill White who previously tried to raise taxes in the same way. He goes on to say that White lost his next election because people did not want him raising their taxes. Kerr's argument is how can Rep. Murphy turn his back on the people that voted for him and raise taxes on them. Kerr's evidence and logic support his claim by contrasting his very conservative stance during the campaign to the bill he is trying to pass now. Kerr also points out that since the situation didn't work out very good for White, Murphy may be facing the same fate.
I have to agree with the author since I would feel totally betrayed if I had voted for Murphy and then he just turned around and wanted to raise my taxes. I think, no matter how great they want to portray themselves, every politician is corrupt and, in the long run, is only looking after himself. If the government really wants to raise taxes, they should raise taxes on the rich. And I think Rep. Jim Murphy should be more careful when choosing a party to run for.
Kerr's intended audience is the taxpaying citizens of Texas, more specifically, Houston. The author is very credible since he provides an example of Mayor Bill White who previously tried to raise taxes in the same way. He goes on to say that White lost his next election because people did not want him raising their taxes. Kerr's argument is how can Rep. Murphy turn his back on the people that voted for him and raise taxes on them. Kerr's evidence and logic support his claim by contrasting his very conservative stance during the campaign to the bill he is trying to pass now. Kerr also points out that since the situation didn't work out very good for White, Murphy may be facing the same fate.
I have to agree with the author since I would feel totally betrayed if I had voted for Murphy and then he just turned around and wanted to raise my taxes. I think, no matter how great they want to portray themselves, every politician is corrupt and, in the long run, is only looking after himself. If the government really wants to raise taxes, they should raise taxes on the rich. And I think Rep. Jim Murphy should be more careful when choosing a party to run for.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Fog Machine
I believe education should be our nation's number one priority. Austin Independent School District is facing major budget cuts and reading "Time for Austin school chief to level with us" by the Editorial Board posted up on March 1, 2011 on the Austin American Statesman website, arguing that our AISD Superintendent Meria Carstarphen should be a lot more forthcoming about her future plans for the reorganization of the district and I have to say I completely agree.
The author's intended audience are the tax paying citizens that are being given a false assurance from Carstarphen. The article explained how she felt exigency was imperative this week even though we have five board meetings left until the legal deadline April 15th. The article also proves the rumor that employees have been notified is false. It also suggests offering incentives for teachers willing to leave early since it has been working in the Dallas district. I like that it gives a information of a proposal regarding what might happen to the teachers that might get cut which entails giving teachers a lump sum of $10,000 per person. I love that the article points out that while hundreds of teachers might be cut, Carstarphen's proposal doesn't include cutting bonuses and car stipends. I especially love how the article ends, "She works for them, and they work for us."
The article gives plenty of information and lets me look through all the fog that Carstarphen is giving. It gives facts and numbers, not just opinions and assumptions. The article demands for more information and I am right there along with it.
The author's intended audience are the tax paying citizens that are being given a false assurance from Carstarphen. The article explained how she felt exigency was imperative this week even though we have five board meetings left until the legal deadline April 15th. The article also proves the rumor that employees have been notified is false. It also suggests offering incentives for teachers willing to leave early since it has been working in the Dallas district. I like that it gives a information of a proposal regarding what might happen to the teachers that might get cut which entails giving teachers a lump sum of $10,000 per person. I love that the article points out that while hundreds of teachers might be cut, Carstarphen's proposal doesn't include cutting bonuses and car stipends. I especially love how the article ends, "She works for them, and they work for us."
The article gives plenty of information and lets me look through all the fog that Carstarphen is giving. It gives facts and numbers, not just opinions and assumptions. The article demands for more information and I am right there along with it.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Budget Crunch?
In the article, "Dodds, Plonsky get raises", is very interesting considering Austin Independent School District is considering slashing over 1,000 jobs and many other cutbacks. DeLoss Dodds, the men's athletic director at the University of Texas, will be receiving a raise of $72,891 making his salary $700,000. His current contract also states that he will be receiving a $750,000 annuity payment this year. It gets even better, if Dodds is still employed by the University of Texas in August 31, 2014, he will be receiving a $1 million annuity payment.
As for Ms. Plonsky, although her salary will stay the same at a meer $265,848, her contract will be extended til 2017. Her pay will also jump from $40,000 to $90,000 for her work in the men's program. While our educators are suffering from job losses, these two have it made. It is nice to know we have our priorities in order.
As for Ms. Plonsky, although her salary will stay the same at a meer $265,848, her contract will be extended til 2017. Her pay will also jump from $40,000 to $90,000 for her work in the men's program. While our educators are suffering from job losses, these two have it made. It is nice to know we have our priorities in order.
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