Texas Needle Exchange Programs

Providing needle exchange programs in the state of Texas may seem like a very controversial issue but I think that if you know the proper facts about these programs then one can see that it could be beneficial for the state of Texas.

Although it may seem that this is just providing drug users more oppurtunities to use drugs, it is not the only purpose. It states that these programs are reducing the spread of HIV and hepatitis. Also, it is providing for these drug users to seek treatment. So again, it may be providing more drug use, the overall goal is to prevent disease and practice safer habits.

The state of Texas should be more open to these programs because it is actually saving money. The costs to treat a patient with HIV is much much more than to run these programs to reduce the spread of the disesase. Although theses programs are provding needles for drug users, at the end of the day they are only trying to help the state of Texas be clean.

Texas Public School Finance

The current school finance plan has been running since 1993. Up till that point, the system of funding public schools was declared unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court. The Texas Constitution guarantees every child a free public education. Every child has a right to an equal share to provide a public education.

Since the districts of Texas are not equal, the "Robin Hood" system went into effect. Under the current system, 87% of the school districts in Texas receive a share of their public school funding from the other 13%.

Now, even though the current system of recapture levels the districts, the major problem is that it relies too heavily on local property taxes. The State of Texas currently contributes only 38% of the total cost of public education. The other 62% comes from local property taxes. The 38% that is contributed by the State is the lowest level of state support since World War.

The state is taking too much from a community just because it is "property wealthy" They do not take into consideration that these communities are growing at a rapid rate, so theses school districts are trying to play catch up because the states are taking too much money and they keep getting more and more children. They need to start using another resource because too much is being used from property taxes.

Proposition for Beer and Wine

Personally, I would have to vote yes to the proposition to make Wimberly, Texas allow the sales of beer and wine at local stores. It is a pretty simple solution to the problem. No matter what the community of Wimberly is still going to bring beer and wine into the city. What does is matter if it sold there? It is already being sold at restaurants with private memberships , so it is only fair to give the people who cannot receive this private membership the chance to purchase beer and winer in at local convienent stores. Having sales tax on beer and wine will only bring in more revenue to the city. There shouldn't even be an issue anymore if it is being sold privately.
I'm sure the community of Wimberly works very hard for their city, so it is only fair, if they want, to purchase beer and wine at their convienence. It is a pretty simple solution to the problem: allow booze and no more wasting the community's time with silly propositions.