The Laubenberg Letter

April 2011
Dear Friends,                                                                                                                  

On April 2nd and 3rd, the Texas House considered the state budget and made some of the
toughest decisions I have experienced during my time in the Legislature.  Although we
legislators are elected to make tough decisions, it was not easy for any of us to choose how
the budget would be cut to  make ends meet. 

I have heard from many teachers and parents with their concerns as they particularly pertain
to public education financing.  Specifically, I hear support for the Senate version of the
budget, which claims to reduce education funding by about $4 Billion, rather than the $7.8 in
the House budget. 

Unfortunately, there is no legislation associated with this idea and funding has not been
established for this extra money.  Once the Senate has concretely set out and funded its plan,
 
I will study the bill's details.  I will be more than happy to support a smaller decrease in public
education funding if it does not raise taxes and does not dip further into the Rainy Day Fund.  Jodie Laubenberg
District 89
Draining the Rainy Day Fund to finance ongoing expenses like public education will have dire
consequences for future budget cycles, especially if the economy does not improve.  We
have approved using about $3 Billion in Rainy Day funds, but we cannot afford to dig a
deeper hole for ourselves.  More taxation will only hamper the state's economic recovery.  We
have enough tax revenue to provide core services.  The real question is how we can prioritize
the budget, not how the government can take more money from taxpayers.
 
I am hopeful that the Senate can find additional efficiencies and reductions in other areas of Contact Information:
government to accommodate an increase to public education funding. As the budget process  
continues and the House and Senate come together to decide on a final budget, I will strongly Collin County: 972.468.4189
consider what you have shared with me.  There are 4.5 Million children who depend on our Rockwall County: 972.772.8525
public school system.  We must make sure that school finance is distributed in such a way Capitol Office: 512.463.0186
that neither property-poor or property-wealthy districts are penalized. In addition to funding  
issues, we must also give school districts the needed flexibility to respond to smaller budgets Email Representative
in a way that protects the classrooms.  Laubenberg
 
My thanks go out to all those who have contacted me about this important matter.  As many
of you have rightly stated, education is a constitutional role of Texas government, and we
must protect classroom funding.

Respectfully,

State Representative, District 89