From the Senator's Desk . . .
January 25, 2007
On Wednesday, January 31, we will release a report called "Texas on the Brink: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States." Leadership means dealing with the facts today to inspire all of us to make a difference tomorrow.
"Texas on the Brink" will show the hard facts about where Texas is today.
Written by Senator Eliot Shapleigh, www.shapleigh.org
Since 1836, Texas has stood as an icon of the American dream.
From humble beginnings, we built a state with the firm belief that every Texan might rise as high and as far as their spirit, hard work, and talent might carry them. For many Texans today, however, the American dream is distant.
On Wednesday, January 31, we will release a report called Texas on the Brink: How Texas Ranks Among the 50 States. Leadership means dealing with the facts today to inspire all of us to make a difference tomorrow. Texas on the Brink will show the hard facts about where Texas is today.
With a $14.3 billion surplus in the Texas Legislature, Gov. Perry recently said, "…we have taken the Texas economy to one of the best, if not the best, in the country." But the real question to ask is for whom?
In our government, budgets reflect our values. Our vision should be broad-based and forward-looking toward our long-term prosperity. Let us not forget that the business of Texas is Texans. To close the gap in Texas, we must graduate more of our best and brightest.
If we invest in our greatest resource, our children, Texas will be the state of the future.
So, with a $14.3 billion surplus, where do we invest? First, let’s honor our commitment to lower property taxes. Too much family income goes to pay a rising tax for which there is no rising paycheck. Next, let’s put every Texas child who qualifies into the CHIP program. With a few changes to our CHIP funding, we can cover all these Texas children. In public education, let’s fully fund the growth in Texas and educate the 70,000 new students who will come into our public schools in the next year. And finally, let’s restore funding to Texas colleges and tuition funds, so more of our best and brightest can get a college degree.
The choice is ours. Let us resolve now to invest in young Texans today to guarantee the prosperity of all Texans tomorrow.
¡Adelante con ganas!
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Related Stories