The new sheriff in town is a grassroots movement taking off like skyrockets whereby school districts are voluntarily publishing their check registers online. How do we know it's taken off? Texas is $23.8 billion more transparent today than just last October when this project started.

What does this mean to San Antonio?

No districts in the San Antonio area are posting yet. Further, old-time area superintendents such as NISD's John Folks are now caught in a bind: Do they continue to avoid posting their check registers until and unless they're required to by law, or do they jump aboard and voluntarily post ahead of any legal requirements, thereby reaping untold PR bene's in their community for transparency?

This Hummer is owned by mid-level management employee at NISD. It seems this district is considerably more prosperous than most taxpayers realize.

To fully appreciate the extent of this bind, let's go back a few years.

Until 1995 Texas supes were mostly kept in check by their board members. But Bill Ratliff's so-called education reforms that year stripped local elected school trustees of their power and gave it instead to their employee, the superintendent, who quickly sold them a bill of bad goods called the "Team of Eight" whereby the supe and the board were supposed to work together; this gave a pay-grade boost to the supe, and demoted the elected trustees; you don't hold a fellow "team" member accountable in the same way you do an employee. And any trustees who ask questions are now subject to accusations of micromanaging, as recently happened to Rose Cervin of Comal ISD who as a trustee requested back-up for the six-figure legal bills their parade of supes was presenting to the board for payment. She was eventually found not to have micromanaged, but who wants the ordeal of such an accusation and investigation?

In an attempt to bring accountability to the process, Governor Perry signed Executive Order RP47 in August 2005, requiring public schools to put at least 65% of their dollars in the classroom with students and teachers. But rather than adopting the conservative NCES formula outlined in the order, Texas edu-czar Shirley Neeley invited superintendents to help write a new formula, with the result, as one friend put it, generous enough to drive a pickup filled with cash or copper tubing through. Plus there's a 55-60-65 step progression, meaning that districts whose mismanagement is so great they don't meet the 65% mark by the end of the 2008-09 school year still wouldn't be required to post their checks online--the punishment for their failure--until 2010.

Meanwhile, there have been many parents and taxpayers filing public records requests at the local level for basic financials on their districts, most times meeting significant stonewalling. After many years of this, a light bulb went off for me last fall: Many of our accountability problems could be solved by simply persuading public school districts to voluntarily post their check registers online, now. To this end, the National School District Honor Roll launched on October 1, 2006 with a scant handful of names, small Texas districts all.

Big boosts

Dallas ISD went online November 2, then Governor Perry required that the Texas Education Agency post its checks online starting last month, and Houston ISD is targeted for mid-April. Most if not all of the 18 districts either committed or already online as of today would have met the mark but are doing so voluntarily--and will reap far greater PR rewards in their communities than the districts who straggle in late. Houston for example is already at 63%, eight points ahead of schedule.

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Where exactly does John Folks stand--and what does his district's true financial picture have to do with all this?

At last year's F.I.R.S.T. hearings in Austin--the one swarmed by front-office guidance counselors insisting they were part of students' classroom experience--Folks addressed his concerns about the publicity school districts would receive who didn't make the 65% goal.

FOLKS: Any of the services that are outside that 65% [i.e., guidance counselors] could be negatively impacted when you have to shift a sum of money that may be close to $17 or $18 million in a large school district into that 65%.

MODERATOR: But you have an out [by posting NISD's checks online]. You don't have to shift it. Are you telling me the publicity would be worth laying off a counselor? . . . .

FOLKS: Probably so.

Although later in the exchange Folks said he didn't object to check registers being posted, he said last week via a Northside ISD employee that he has no plans to do so.

Folks' bind

If I were John Folks, I probably wouldn't want to post my district's checks, either. When I asked one of his trustees last summer how much Northside received, the board member did not know, even rounded off to the nearest hundred million. While NISD's general fund amount for 2004-05, the last official reporting period, was $450 million, its real income, the total receipts for all funds, was over twice that, almost $995 million per TEA. Meaning that while the community is under the impression Northside was spending $6,085 per-student, in fact it was actually, again using TEA's actuals, spending $13,438 per student.

By contrast, when I called Mario Rios, Edgewood ISD's PR guy, last week--you may recall my brush with EISD's three armed police officers last August when I visited that district--I received an entirely different response, with Rios indicating it sounded like a good idea and he'd bring to EISD's management.

So we are left with this interesting question: If Edgewood decides to voluntarily post its checks online, will Northside then follow Edgewood's lead?  Which district will wear the good-guy white hat first?

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Peyton Wolcott, a long-time grass roots public education reform activist, was named a recipient of Education News' 2006 Upton Sinclair Award. Her website is www.peytonwolcott.com  Learn more here and here  Listen online to Peyton and her special guest, Texas Education Agency deputy commissioner Robert Scott, on The Lynn Woolley Show Feb. 28, 2007, archive here; Lynn was recently named one of 100 top talk-show hosts in America. TEA's check register here

* Transcript excerpt.

# # #
 

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

11 Am Oak Hills Country Club

Space is limited. Deadline for Reservations Noon, Friday, March 16th

Guest Speaker: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts: Honorable Susan Combs

Cost: $17.00 with a reservation, $20.00 without. Men are welcome at all events.

Contact: Carolyn 493-6210

OR Email reservations to: acrw.reservations@gmail.com

ALL EMAILS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: your full name and phone number.
 

Rebuke of Rick Perry's transportation policies

Former Transportation Commissioner turned State Senator, Robert Nichols, filed a bill last week that would immediately HALT any further Public-Private Partnerships or Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDAs) from taking effect. SB 1267 would enact a 2-year moratorium on CDAs and create a study group to investigate the impact of CDAs on the public and its roadways.

Twenty five of 31 state senators signed on to the bill which demonstrates a total repudiation of Governor Rick Perry’s transportation policies by the Senate. Representative Lois Kolkhorst introduced the companion bill in the House (HB 2772).

Each bill needs two thirds of each house in order for it to take effect immediately (which will also demonstrate to the Governor that the Legislature has the votes to override any potential veto). It’s noteworthy that EVERY San Antonio Senator signed on to the bill. This, too, is significant since it demonstrates the massive grassroots effort to gain the Legislature’s ear in the effort to beat back Perry’s toll proliferation and the privatization of our public highways.

Grassroots groups all over the state are urging their members to contact their State Representatives to help garner the 100 votes needed to make this law take effect immediately. Legislators are reacting to the recently signed CDA for Hwy 121 in Dallas that many have called “disturbing” like the non-compete clause and the formula used to escalate toll rates. Legislators in various committees that were briefed on the State Auditor’s report of TxDOT released February 23, are already asking how to buy out the 121 contract.

Locally, this bill, should it become law in time and sustain a veto attempt, would block TxDOT from signing a CDA with one of two foreign bidders for what TxDOT has dubbed the San Antonio toll starter system (a 47 mile network on US 281 and Loop 1604) which is set to go to contract any time. Nichols also introduced a bill (SB 1268) that would prevent ANY non-toll lane from becoming a toll lane.
 

By John Merrifield,
Professor of Economics
Director, Entrepreneurial Conservatism Institute
March 12th, 2007

One of the reasons it is obvious when you have driven into a neighboring state is that Texas’ public policy undermines free enterprise the least. Free enterprise, driven by competition and informed by the price system, reflects genuine liberty, which is the cornerstone of economic prosperity. According to the Tom Garrett and Howard Wall article in the fall, 2006 Cato Journal Texas is #1, just short of perfect in staying out of entrepreneurs’ way. In contrast, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have three, five, four, and three times as far to go in pursuing entrepreneur-friendly policy, respectively, as Texas. This example of wise general policy towards free enterprise is especially important in Texas, with its plethora of disadvantages, such as low average educational attainment, and high rates of imported poverty.

Unfortunately, the data used by Garrett-Wall predate the 2006 enactment of the gross receipts tax, perhaps a sign that the importance of Texas’ top entrepreneur-friendly ranking is poorly understood.  Part of leadership is the hard work of hardening resistance against special interest attacks on the key ingredients of economic growth.

Garrett-Wall did not address sector-specific impediments to free enterprise like the public finance monopoly of the government-owned schools that makes it very, very difficult for private schools to make money. It is hard to sell something with a free substitute. Private schools’ share of K-12 is very small, and most of them are non-profit schools subsidized by churches. Health care, now 1/6th of our entire economy, is another economic activity where government intervention undermines free enterprise.

Just like it is obvious which states best support free enterprise, it is obvious which sectors of the economy best nurture entrepreneurial initiative. As 3rd party financing has gradually weakened consumer vigilance, the skyrocketing cost of health care has made it inaccessible to some, devastatingly costly to others, and threatens to yield government takeover of health care, which it would run about as well as the public school system. The entrepreneur-hostile K-12 education sector suffers skyrocketing costs and low (‘Nation at Risk’), stagnant performance (~25% proficiency; over 40% below basic); a ‘gold-plated’ disaster.

We need leadership to safeguard Texas’ advantage in exploiting free enterprise, and to increase the importance of free enterprise where bad policy undermines it.
 

The National Journal lists U.S. Senator Cornyn as the 3rd most conservative with a composite score of 90.8, while Senator Hutchison's composite score was 66.3 in 2006 placing her in 39th position. They're categorized as a Senate "odd couple" because of the spread of their composite scores.

Cathie Adams

The Odd Twins (Cornyn and Hutchison) 

The scores are here
 

Enjoy a delicious dinner, live music and meet

PATRICK McCURDY

Energetic LEADERSHIP

FOR MAYOR OF SAN ANTONIO

Friday, March 16, 2007 - 6:30 – 8:00 PM

$25/plate, $40/couple, $10/plate for Pastors and their families

Joseph’s Storehouse Restaurant & Bakery

3420 N. St. Mary’s 78212 (voted #1 bakery!)

Call Jean at 674-5400 with your selection of either Lasagna or King Ranch Chicken not later than 9 PM March 14

Pol. Adv. Pd. by Patrick McCurdy

3420 N. St Mary’s, San Antonio, TX  78212,  (210) 638-8453 www.mccurdyformayor.org/
 

Hi Joe,

I will NOT ever vote for any Republican, nor will I vote for a Democrat.  Both parties are one and the same.

"Shape up or we’re staying home" is what you are advising, bad advice in my opinion.  Staying away from the polls isn't the answer. The answer is to vote LIBERTARIAN. When you don't cast a vote what you have really done is cast a vote for the winner. When you throw away the power of vote you will, in time get tyranny and people like Perry who think they are Kings. Look at this way, your non-vote didn't prevent the winner from winning. Your non-vote kept a libertarian out of office and thus kept people in office who only give lip service to "We The People.” If you want to change government then put a majority of libertarians in office.

Your "Anonymous Business Leader" clearly stated one of the major flaws in our system--lobbyists. He made a good case to disallow "paid lobbying, special interest groups, and the like”--no paid lobbyists or organized lobbying.  However, you as one person can lobby all you want as long as you represent yourself.  

Instead of advising your readers to stay at home and away from the voting place, which will insure that we end up with a dictator, ask them to vote libertarian as that will send a louder message than staying home would.
 

“The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards: and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors; they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrestled from us by violence without a struggle or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.” –Samuel Adams-

It is the “designing artifices” of these “false and designing men” in both parties that are the greatest threat to our constitutional republic. Yes, we have enemies abroad but we are being destroyed from within. Our own ignorance, apathy, and complacency and allowing these men to destroy our country will indeed “bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, as enlightened as it is.”

“Every generation must resist the temptation to believe that it lives in the most dangerous time in American history. The threat of Islamic terrorism is real, but it is not the greatest danger ever faced by our nation. This is not to dismiss the threat of terrorism, but rather to put it in perspective.  Those who seek to whip the nation into a frenzy of fear do a disservice to a country that expelled the British, fought two world wars, and stared down the Soviet empire.

Liberty is lost through complacency and a subservient mindset.  When we accept or even welcome automobile checkpoints, random searches, mandatory identification cards, and paramilitary police in our streets, we have lost a vital part of our American heritage. America was born of protest, revolution, and mistrust of government. Subservient societies neither maintain nor deserve freedom for long.” – Ron Paul-

What about Ron Paul, a true American, a true Patriot, a good man and not just the lesser of two evils? Yes, what about Ron Paul?
 

VICTORIA – A Victoria County grand jury indicted two Victoria men and a former Gonzales paramedic for using the Internet to prey upon or exploit children. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's Cyber Crimes Unit arrested all three suspects and presented their cases to the grand jury.

"Texans will not tolerate criminals who prey upon our children," Attorney General Abbott said. "The Cyber Crimes Unit will continue its aggressive crackdown on sexual predators and child pornographers. We are grateful to Victoria County Criminal District Attorney Steve Tyler and the Victoria Police Department for their commitment to a safer Texas for our children."

Cyber Crimes Unit investigators arrested 25-year-old Keith Robert Berger, a former Gonzales EMS paramedic, on Feb. 7 after he traveled from Gonzales to Victoria to meet and sexually assault someone he thought was a 13-year-old boy. When Berger arrived in Victoria, he discovered the "boy" was a Cyber Crimes Unit investigator posing as an underage teen. Berger was indicted for attempted indecency with a child, attempted sexual performance by a child, and online solicitation of a minor.

Dionicio Robles, Jr., 53, of Victoria, was arrested in March 2006 after he sexually propositioned an undercover Cyber Crimes Unit investigator who had assumed the online identity of a 13-year-old girl. Robles was indicted on three counts of online solicitation of a minor and seven counts of child pornography possession.

The grand jury also indicted Elmar Ellman, 45, also of Victoria, on two counts each of child pornography possession and promotion. Cyber Crimes Unit investigators executed a search warrant at Ellman's residence and place of employment the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicated that he was distributing sexually explicit images of children online. Forensic analysis of the confiscated media revealed several images of child pornography. At the time of the investigation, Ellman was a twice-convicted, registered sex offender. Cyber Crimes Unit investigators, working with the Victoria Police Department, arrested Ellman Friday.

Online solicitation of a minor and promotion of child pornography are second-degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Attempted sexual performance by a child; attempted indecency with a child; and possession of child pornography are third-degree felonies punishable by two to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Attorney General Abbott has earned a national reputation for aggressively arresting and prosecuting online child predators. In 2002, he launched the Cyber Crimes Unit, which targets online predators by assuming the identities of young teenagers in Internet chat rooms, and the Fugitive Unit, which locates convicted child sex offenders who have violated the terms of their parole and could be stalking children. Attorney General Abbott's initiative has resulted in more than 500 arrests of such offenders. His office also has obtained convictions against 57 men on child pornography charges.
 

When:  11:00 A.M., Friday, March 23, 2007

Where:  The Club at Sonterra, 901 Sonterra Blvd.

Contact:  Toni O'Mara (210) 479-7111 for reservations.  Men welcome.

Luncheon:  $18.00

Respectfully submitted,

Anita C. Rentfro, Publicity Chairman

arentfro@sbcglobal.net

Bexar County Republican Women

210-804-2225
 

Then there are more bits of gossip flying around about our esteemed city council race. I can’t help but notice these races, even if they are somewhat boring overall. Thank goodness, for the faux pas that occur unwittingly or perhaps I am just missing their real intent. I try to give the lady-like benefit of the doubt, but it does try on one’s nerves.

Best example of a faux pas goes to dear District 8. Our teacher candidate needs more education in e-mail etiquette and maybe etiquette in general. It seems said candidate was able to get her mitts on a protected list from a non-profit group, and proceeded to send out solicitations for campaign financing from said ladies. I am sure, you dear reader know that it is not kosher to send overtures to these type organizations because they are 1) unable to participate in political things due to charters and by-laws, not to mention laws themselves prohibiting that, and 2) asking people who are not grouped together to make money for things that are meant to help others (Not Politicians). It seems that we have PACs to meet those needs. You might find this candidate grounded for bad behavior.

Faux pas number 2 goes to a campaign manager in District 8 as well. Rumor has it that this one has almost defected exclusively to a District 2 candidate because she is not getting enough money to pay equal—or is it ANY attention—to her Number 8 candidate. My, my, how fickle politics can be!! Said candidate best get a move on and to be seen and heard, or he will be long forgotten in this race. Maybe someone with his best interest and not money in mind should step up and give him a helping hand to make it in this race. Resumes, anyone?

Now, on to another candidate in District 8 to finish this week. As today is the deadline to file for the ballots, Baby Boy candidate had better be good at counting signatures. He is putting his marbles on the line instead of money to file. Could this be a sign of frugality, or simply a lack of funding?

We shall have to wait and see what his future holds in this political arena.

Word on the street is that Judge Peter Sakai was successful in retiring his debt this week. All that hard work has truly paid off for a really nice guy who is one heck of a judge. Way to go Judge, may success follow you for an eternity.

Now for the exciting, but expensive events we just attended. It is refreshing to think that San Antonio may have some real movers and shakers that the presidential candidates are willing to not only talk with, but also come to town to visit. John Edwards made 3 events to our delight. Labor appeared to be happy to come out and support him, as well as the regular folks. His Sunset Station appearance was lucrative and exhilarating.

However, his Dominion soiree had the most interesting mix of people to come and see him live and in person. Kudos to Mike Watts and his lovely wife for hosting this event. They invited folks from miles around, and even a few locals that were used as fillers to make the crowd swell.

Speaking of fillers, our Party Chair filled in naturally. At least she made a brief showing at the end of the party to be able to let everyone there know “she’s the Chair.” Luckily, for the Democrats we have folks with credibility to invite candidates here. Thanks also go to Christian Archer and Jorge Herrera for their not so behind the scenes activities that got this event started and off the ground. Unlike some, these guys, along with Mike were the ones to get Mr. Edwards here in the first place.

Final rumor this week—Hillary may come to San Antonio for a whirlwind fundraiser. It seems the Maloneys are not to be out-done by another group of lawyers. They have long-standing connections with the Clintons, and when she hears the final count of money that John Edwards raised, she may want to see what we can offer her. I just hope I can raise more funds myself to get into the really good event to have a picture made with her to match the one I have of John and me.

When making your plans for the week, don’t forget to invite La Prima to your next gathering! You may just have invited me, and didn’t know it!!

That is the moderate viewpoint, I AM also the Republicrat PLUS!