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SEPTEMBER 16, 2004:
Libertarians Say No New Taxes for Schools
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Patrick Dixon, Libertarian Party State Chair: 512-771-3936 tclppatjdixon@earthlink.net
Wes Benedict, Libertarian Party Executive Director: 512-442-4910 wesliberty@aol.com
Kris Overstreet, Libertarian Party Media Coordinator, 936-685-4992 cell 936-425-6523
redneck@wlpcomics.com
AUSTIN - Wednesday's ruling by state district judge John Deitz that Texas' funding system for public schools is unconstitutional is no cause to celebrate, says the Libertarian Party of Texas.
"Until real choice and empowerment are given back to parents and teachers, we are stuck with a one-size-fits-all system where families and small businesses have no say in where their money goes," said Texas Libertarian Party chair Patrick Dixon in a statement late September 15.
Dixon pointed out that Dietz's statements, such as, "I am abundantly optimistic that the people of Texas are willing to pay the price and make the sacrifice [for the increased cost of education]," demonstrate that the court declared the "Robin Hood" system unconstitutional because it does not tax Texans enough.
"We feel that far too much is being wasted on boondoggle programs mandated by state and federal bureaucrats," said Dixon. "This drives up the cost of everything, including education."
The Libertarians point out several facts to support their beliefs:
The state average spent per student has increased steadily over the past ten years – from about $5,000 per student per year in 1995 to over $7,000 today. In the same period, the state literacy rate has declined – from 83%
in 1995 to 77% today.
Additional teachers are being hired to bring class sizes down to federally mandated maximum sizes of 23 students or fewer – costing public schools millions of dollars in additional salaries, benefits, and building costs. Schools in Finland have an average class size of 30; Japan, of 35; and Singapore, of 60 – and all three nations surpass the United States by far in quality of education.
While public schools spend over $7,000 per student on average per year, private schools spend on average less than half as much – yet privately-schooled students routinely test higher on college aptitude tests. Home-schooled students, whose expenses are lower still, perform still better on average.
The foundation of public school funding lies in property taxes. However, many corporations are routinely given "economic incentive" exemptions from property taxes. The result: homeowners and small businesspeople bear the corporations' share of the tax burden.
These and other facts add up to one conclusion, say Libertarians: that more money does not equal better education.
The most dangerous aspect of the ruling is the expected response of the Legislature, scheduled to meet in January 2005: higher taxes.
"I fear [Texas governor Rick] Perry will just use this ruling as political cover to raise more taxes and fees," said Libertarian executive director Wes Benedict. "Of course, with a Governor from the party of Bush, who went to Washington promising to get the federal government more involved in local education, what do you expect?"
Governor Perry tried and failed to change the school finance system earlier this year with a special legislative session, which cost Texas taxpayers millions of dollars to convene. Perry – a Republican elected on a platform of lower taxes and smaller government – attempted to enact extortionate sin taxes, a statewide property tax, and a special tax on businesses with payrolls – in effect, a state income tax.
Libertarians believe that public schools were first established by local communities as the educator of last resort for the indigent, and were never intended to be the first or only option available. By raising taxes, establishing draconian regulations on private school operation, and enforcing mandatory attendance laws, the state government has created an education monopoly. The inevitable results of any monopoly – corruption, waste, and inferior service – have come to pass.
"Libertarians advocate getting government out of the way of progress and giving control and choice back to parents and teachers," said Dixon. "We call for an end to federal and state tinkering with local schools, and full freedom of choice for parents in a free and open educational market."
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