Tuesday, March 15, 2005
A Different Species of Elephant
A Brief Study of Contrasts...
In Mississippi, Republicans refuse to raise one of the nation's lowest tobacco taxes. Democrats wanted the money to help fund Medicaid. Nearly one quarter of the state's population receives help from that program, many because of their addiction to tobacco products and the subsequent health problems that addiction causes.
I should point out here (in case you haven't been paying attention) that Republican Governor Haley Barbour made his fortune as a lobbyist for big tobacco companies in Washington.
Meanwhile in Texas, Republicans there will raise taxes on cigarettes and snack foods (among other things) in order to revamp that state's school funding system.
The increase sought in both states was $1.00 per pack.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not endorsing what the Repulicans did in Texas. I'm just pointing out the contrast. If Republicans in Texas really wanted to fix the school funding crisis, they would completely restructure the entire "independent school district" system. Having eight separate school districts within one city (San Antonio), with eight separate finance and administration systems is a big part of the problem...but only one part. Republicans in Texas should actually consider what members of both parties in Mississippi were looking into (but are no longer, at least for this session): consolidation.
In Mississippi, Republicans refuse to raise one of the nation's lowest tobacco taxes. Democrats wanted the money to help fund Medicaid. Nearly one quarter of the state's population receives help from that program, many because of their addiction to tobacco products and the subsequent health problems that addiction causes.
I should point out here (in case you haven't been paying attention) that Republican Governor Haley Barbour made his fortune as a lobbyist for big tobacco companies in Washington.
Meanwhile in Texas, Republicans there will raise taxes on cigarettes and snack foods (among other things) in order to revamp that state's school funding system.
The increase sought in both states was $1.00 per pack.
Don't misunderstand me. I'm not endorsing what the Repulicans did in Texas. I'm just pointing out the contrast. If Republicans in Texas really wanted to fix the school funding crisis, they would completely restructure the entire "independent school district" system. Having eight separate school districts within one city (San Antonio), with eight separate finance and administration systems is a big part of the problem...but only one part. Republicans in Texas should actually consider what members of both parties in Mississippi were looking into (but are no longer, at least for this session): consolidation.
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