Lawmakers fail to agree on school finance remedy_61305

Posted: 6/10/05

Lawmakers fail to agree on school finance remedy

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

AUSTIN–In the end, Texas lawmakers simply could not agree on how to fund public schools.

Balancing lower property taxes, a higher sales tax and a business franchise tax in a way that adequately funds public schools ultimately proved too difficult a task for members of the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, who ended the regular session in disagreement.

House members wanted a higher sales tax than senators, but a lower business franchise tax. Both groups wanted lower property taxes.

Gov. Rick Perry said lawmakers would continue working on the issue, and a special session may be called if a resolution appears reachable.

Suzii Paynter, director of citizenship and public policy for the Christian Life Commission, a ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, said reforming public school finance should be a priority for Texas.

Education nurtures people's gifts and improves their lives, she explained.

“In order to live out the potential God has given us, education is essential,” Paynter said. “It is very difficult to live out our potential without education.”

For Baptists, education is even more vital, she noted. The ability to read and reason is crucial in churches where laypeople make critical decisions. Education also is needed for people to read and learn biblical principles.

Paynter encourages churches to look for ways they can bring school districts together. Prayer also can make a difference if believers commit to it, she said.

Politically, Paynter believes this failed attempt to overhaul school financing could have implications for the November elections.

“I think people are losing patience with the school finance issue,” she said. “I think it'll be an election issue.”