GOP gauging support with Primary Ballot question
By Brooke Dollens Terry
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas - A grassroots coalition of parents teachers & organizations are working together to provide Texas children the right to choose their own school (public or private) and save taxpayers billions of dollars in the process. As
school choice expands around the country it is important to understand what is going on in Texas.
Taxpayer Savings Grants (
http://TaxpayerSavingsGrants.org/) is a voluntary statewide program that would save state money. For each student that chooses to transfer to a private school the state of Texas saves an average of $3400. This is a savings of up to $2 billion over two years (based on participation rates of 6 8 percent). Each student is given a grant of roughly $5000 to put towards private school tuition.
This $2 billion savings will help plug the state budget deficit without raising taxes. All students who attended a public school last year or are entering kindergarten for the first time are eligible including middle class parents.
State Rep. Sid Miller (R-Stephenville HD 59) showed incredible leadership by sponsoring this proposal HB 33 during the special session last year. To increase the possibility of getting this important piece of legislation passed we are asking all candidates running for the
Texas House and Texas Senate to sign a pledge in support of Taxpayer Savings Grants.
Texas lawmakers will have an opportunity to help children and taxpayers next session by passing Taxpayer Savings Grants. We need to tell them of our support and ask them to sign the pledge.
In addition voters in the Republican primary on May 29 will have an opportunity to voice their support for school choice and taxpayer savings by voting FOR the ballot initiative. The Republican primary ballot will have the following language on school choice:
SCHOOL CHOICE:
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child instead of the bureaucracy through a program which allows parents the freedom to choose their childs school public or private while also saving significant taxpayer dollars.
Yes or No?
We are also doing a school choice road show. We are spreading the word about school choice and taxpayer savings by making a short presentation at various Republican Club meetings Tea Party meetings and other forums.
If you support Taxpayer Savings Grants here are some specific things YOU can do to help:
- Join our Coalition! You can sign up to become a member on our website. As a member you will
get updates the latest news and information on how you can be involved.
- Ask your local state representative and state senator to sign a pledge in support of Taxpayer Savings Grants. A list of candidates that have signed our pledge is posted on our website at http://taxpayersavingsgrants.org/taxpayer-savings-grants-pledge
- Vote in the May 29 primary and vote YES on the school choice ballot proposal. Vote for candidates that support Taxpayer Savings Grants.
- Spread the word about Taxpayer Savings Grants by inviting us to speak at your local club meeting.
- Like us on Facebook.
Brooke Dollens Terry is an Education Policy Analyst Consultant and new mom. href=https://twitter.com/#!/brooketerry>Follow her @BrookeTerry.
