Standardized Testing

Stephanie Davis, a fellow colleague, comments on standardized testing in schools and new changes that will come if Texas House Bill 742 comes to pass. She brings up how schools are only focused on students passing standardized test and how school has become “no longer fun or exciting.” She also mentions that schools need to be more accommodating to all types of students when it comes to the testing environment.

Davis claims that standardized tests in schools are ruining the way children view learning. She suggests that a new method of testing should be implemented in schools that will encourage and empower students to love learning. Although she believes House Bill 742 is a start, it is not enough and more should be done to combat this problem. 

I agree with Davis when she says, “[s]chool should be fun.” Texas has recently replaced the TAKS test (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) with the STAAR test (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness), increasing the amount of tests students must take at the end of each school year. High school students must take and end-of-course exam (EOC) for Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology, and US History. This places a large amount of stress on students and teachers alike. This type of testing drives competition between schools, taking away an important goal in the process—student success. Another disadvantage to these tests is that they only focus on certain subjects and dismisses the creative part of learning. I do believe that testing is necessary to give teachers guidance and track students’ progress, but I believe our current method of testing might be burning out our students. 

Should We Keep Funding Planned Parenthood?

The GOP—currently the dominant party—will soon get their wish to oust Planned Parenthood. Their ongoing fight against the organization will affect the health of many women in Texas due to recent state budget cuts. The health centers provide education on a variety of topics: body image, pregnancy, relationships, sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender. They also offer general health care services that include screenings, physical exams, vaccinations, etc. 

Planned Parenthood aids low-income individuals so they are able to receive medical attention. Many women and men would be left without a way to receive affordable medical treatment and education on sexual reproduction and family planning, should the federal government cut their funds from the organization. This will heavily impact the health of patients who currently attend these health clinics.

The vast majority that is against Planned Parenthood is only in opposition because of the abortion services that they provide. Of all the funding that the organization receives, only three percent is used to fund abortions. This small percentage of funding doesn’t even come from the federal government, so taxpayers that are pro-life cannot argue that their money is supporting abortions. 

There are many arguments between pro-life and pro-choice individuals, but there might be a solution. Scientists are coming up with new methods of contraception in order to reduce the amount of abortions due to unplanned pregnancies. In addition to these new methods, Texas has recently placed numerous regulations on abortions. Although I do not agree with House Bill 2 as a whole, there are many regulations set that are just. The bill allows abortions to women whose life is at risk or if the fetus has severe abnormalities and forbids abortions after 20 weeks gestation due to research revealing that a fetus can endure pain at 20 weeks development.  

Transportation Along the Texas Triangle

Kyle Ames, a fellow colleague, comments on the upcoming project by Texas Central Partners in a recent blog post. This project will connect Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas—Texas' largest cities that make up the Texas Triangle—via high-speed train. 

Although I agree with Ames when he says, "Texas can benefit in more ways than one," he forgets to provide reasons why the high-speed rail system will benefit Texas and its economy. As the population of Texas' cities increases so will traffic. The result of this project will help reduce traffic congestion on Texas' major highways. The high-speed train will also reduce pollution, creating new jobs, save travelers time and money, and provide travelers with a safer method of transportation.

Fracking Brings More Harm to Texas Than Good

Texas has received the most rain in the month of May since June of 2004. This wonderful upsurge of heavy rainfall has brought Texas out of the "exceptional drought" category—the worst of the five classifications—that has persisted for the past three years. The rainfall has recharged many of Texas' aquifers, but it won't make much of a difference due to the burgeoning demand of water for hydraulic fracturing—for the method continues to dominate oil recovery across Texas. To make matters worse, Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 40—giving the authority to regulate oil and gas operations to the state—in order to prohibit cities from banning fracking.

Hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking", is the process of injecting fluid underground at high pressures to fracture shale rocks to release natural gas and oil. This method of extracting oil creates many problems including pollution and the spread of toxins. 

Fracking involves a considerable amount of water compared to conventional drilling. Approximately 1-8 million gallons of water are needed to complete a single fracking. In light of this, Texas is bound to return to a shriveled, barren wasteland. 

This method of oil extraction does not only require a substantial amount of water, but it also requires the use of toxic chemicals that can contaminate surrounding water supplies. The result of this pollution can cause environmental and health hazards. Although fracking is a relatively new practice, there have been numerous reports of health problems in humans and animals in areas neighboring fracking sites. 

We must consider the long-term affects of fracking. Are the short-term benefits worth the long-term repercussions? Wouldn't our money be better spent on promoting clean energy, instead of jeopardizing our future by investing in methods hazardous to the lock, stock, and barrel?

Marriage Equality

Harold Cook, a political analyst, mentions the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage on his blog—Letters From Texas. His commentary discusses how "un-American" members of the GOP are reacting to marriage equality given to the gay community. He speaks directly to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, US Senator Ted Cruz, and others that do not support the Supreme Court's ruling. 

Cook claims that that actions of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and US Senator Ted Cruz are un-American because they "run[] contrary to the Rule of Law" and are "destroy[ing] 212 years of American Constitutional scholarship." Cook references Marbury v. Madison case—a case that ruled that the Supreme Court has the ability to exercise judicial review—stating that the Supreme Court has the last say on how to interpret our Constitution.  

I concur with Cook when he says that members of the GOP are being "unpatriotic" and "un-American." Although they do not agree with the Supreme Court ruling, they should still abide by our laws. This controversial matter is mostly influenced by religious beliefs. I am in favor of exercising one’s religion freely, but it should not hinder the rights of others and their beliefs. Local government officials should not be supporting the idea of defying the federal government. They also should not try force their beliefs on others and deny others rights because of what they believe in. I believe the Supreme Court made the right decision concerning same-sex marriage. The Constitution guarantees us civil rights and civil liberties, if the Supreme Court had not chosen to grant same-sex marriage it would have infringed on those rights and liberties. 

Tax Decisions

An editorial by the San Antonio Express-News discusses amendments to Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 32 that will lower the state's tax revenue. Senate Bill 1 will increase the homestead exemption to $25,000—previously $15,000—and House Bill 32 will cut the business franchise tax by 25%. The author (unknown) is addressing taxpayers and wants to make sure they give some thought into Senate Bill 1 before voting in November. 

The author claims that voters will most likely vote in favor of Senate Bill 1 in order for homeowners to save a couple of bucks. The author also claims "the state's roads and schools remain perpetually underfunded." For this reason, homeowners should not vote in favor of the bill because the state doesn't have enough money to fund public goods as it is. The author references credible data from a 2009 report by the Texas Transportation Commission stating that $315 billion is needed to fund transportation through 2030. The author also implies that we should probably increase taxes to keep up with population growth. 

I agree with the author when he states that the homeowners should "sensibly vote 'no'" and that "the Legislature should consider rescinding its franchise tax cut." The population of Texas increases every day, so lowering taxes will make it harder for the government to provide public goods and services. Considering the petty amount Texans will save a year—approximately $120—I would rather we uphold the state's tax revenue rather than watch it dwindle with our state’s government.

Unemployment in Austin

According to an article by the Austin American-Statesman, the unemployment rate in Austin has risen for the month of June. The decline in state government jobs can be described as cyclic unemployment—a type of unemployment due to slow economic growth—and is to be expected while school is out for the summer. Fortunately, local employers have countered the decline by creating numerous jobs in the technology field.

It is constructive to keep up with the unemployment rate in order to avoid economic problems in the future. By keeping track of unemployment trends the government can ensure a stable economy and act before any unbalances.