Texas PTA: Support penny/ounce Tax on Soft Drinks Pass SB 1004

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas State Senators will debate the Senates version of the budget for 2012-2013 as soon as Friday of this week - TOMORROW.  The budget being considered reduces dramatically the funding for public education ... and other state spending. Debate on the Senates version has been delayed because a small group of Republicans are refusing to support the draft BECAUSE IT SPENDS TOO MUCH.

  Texas PTAs April 28th Legislative Action Alert (read the full Action Alert here.)   

Unless Texans take action now to let your state senators know we want more money spent on education we may get a LOT LESS for our public schools. Heres what you need to know: Members of Texas PTA were invited to complete a survey this month about funding for public education. The response was overwhelming. Based on the survey results Texas PTA members believe more money should be spent on public schools than is contained in either the House or the Senate versions of the budget for 2012-2013. THE RESULTS:

• 78 of respondents support raising the cigarette tax
• 72.7 support raising the tax on alcohol.
• 63.8 of members who completed the survey strongly support the use of a portion of the Rainy Day Fund to restore some public education funding for the next 2 years.
• 48.2 support raising other fees and that same percentage support spending state dollars in order to ensure the maximum amount of federal funding for schools.

Also last week the Senate Finance Committee heard proposed legislation to levy a penny per ounce tax on soft drinks (visit the Healthy Lifestyles page of the Texas PTA website for information on soda taxes. They generate revenue and they impact obesity.) The tax could raise as much as $2 billion per year. Heres what you can do:  THIS WEEK: Call your State Senator and ask him/her to SUPPORT MORE FUNDING FOR TEXAS SCHOOLS. Identify yourself as:

• a constituent -someone who lives in the district of the state senator
• and as a member of Texas PTA.

Tell the person answering the phone why public education is important to you and to Texas. Mention the survey results above and ask your legislators to increase spending on public schools by raising revenue. Encourage him/her to:

• Use a portion of the Rainy Day Fund.
• Raise the cigarette tax.
• Raise taxes on alcohol.
• Raise fees.
• Ensure that state dollars are spent strategically so that Texas maximizes federal funding for schools.

If you support a penny/ounce tax on soft drinks encourage passage of SB 1004 by Sen. Lucio. To determine which State Senator represents you click on the link below: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members.htm The form to identify your senator is at the bottom of the page.