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March 17, 2006
Isn't That Special?
Today came the word we have been waiting for -- Governor Rick Perry has set a date for a special session of the Texas Legislature. The fun and games will begin Monday, April 17th and will last 30 days.
Not surprisingly, in the midst of his reelection campaign, the Guv has narrowly focused the session's agenda: fix the funding source for public education before June 1st, as mandated by the Texas Supreme Court. The most likely strategy for doing this is implementing a broad-based business tax in exchange for a one-third cut in property taxes. Easier said than done.
Conveniently, Perry has declined to address education reform or any other number of pressing issues during the upcoming session. After all, he and his fellow Republican legislators need to get back to the real business at hand -- campaigning. The people's business will just have to wait until next year.
Grumbling about the business tax has already begun, notably from some of the state's largest law firms. Under the new plan, they will no longer be exempt from the business tax (as partnerships are under the current franchise tax); not surprisingly, they are not happy.
There is likely palpable unease at the Capitol about the upcoming session. Politically, there are just no easy options. No matter what funding source is ultimately passed (if any is -- remember, they've struck out the last 6 attempts at this), there will be winners and losers. The losers tend to go vote, and in this case they are likely to have substantial resources to contribute against members who cast unpopular votes.
So, Governor Perry's plan to cut property taxes and declare victory may not be as easily achieved as he hopes, and it certainly will not be without political consequences. For Democrats it's another moment where being out of power may not be the worst thing in the world. Republicans run everything in Texas, so politically it's their problem.
Sadly, an issue so important as how we value and fund our public schools is reduced to what plan will generate the least bad electoral outcome for the Texas GOP. And that's a problem that affects us all. Another installment of Profiles in Political Courage, courtesy of Rick Perry. Geez...
Posted by houtopia at March 17, 2006 05:00 PM