Invest In Our Kids Today
February 12th, 2013
Dear Democrats, Crucial action is needed to improve public education in Texas. You might have heard about the recent ruling where a State District Judge declared that Texas schools are not properly funded, and the cuts made by the Tea Party-dominated Texas Legislature in 2011 need to be reversed. Specifically, the Judge called the present state of our public education unconstitutional. What we are doing to our kids is unconstitutional. Surely, we must do better. And we must act now. Despite the clarity of this recent ruling, Governor Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott are going to appeal the ruling, likely delaying an ultimate Texas Supreme Court decision until over a year from now in 2014. In 2010, 40% of Hispanics did not have a high school degree, compared with 8% of Anglos. The following year, in 2011, Hispanics became the majority of public school students for the first time in Texas history. In response, the Tea Party Texas Legislature cut $5.4 billion from Texas schools, not financing enrollment growth driven by Texas’ growing Hispanic population for the first time in Texas history. Public education serves as the gateway to the American Dream for many. When we invest in public education, we invest in the future of Texas and the skilled workforce needed to sustain a strong economy. If we fail to provide our children with educational opportunity, we are robbing them of their dreams and their future. We thank you for taking this action, and urge you to forward this to your co-workers, friends and families. To be a Democrat means to believe in a strong system of public education. We think that this is something all Texans can agree on. Sincerely, Gilberto Hinojosa
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