Texas State Representative Dennis Paul on education

Dennis Paul is heartbroken. Bless his heart.

According to Paul's website Dennis Paul is heartbroken about rising property taxes and school funding. HEARTBROKEN! From his website:

Every year, property taxes in HD 129 continue to increase. It is heartbreaking to hear the stories of residents being forced out of their homes because they can’t pay their property tax bills. I support revamping our property tax burden for school funds, helping fund our schools with sales tax proceeds and lowering our district’s property tax rate. But I don't intend to do a damn thing about it.

Ok. I added the last sentence, but it is true. If an elected official is so heartbroken about property taxes, then do something about it don't just yap about it. Paul needs to remember this is a problem created by his party. His party reshaped school funding over 15 years ago and its been an incredible failure resulting in a drop in funding, cuts to teachers, skyrocketing health insurance, and more. It's incredible that any teacher would ever vote for a republican. But they do. Ugh.

According to Reform Austin not only has property taxes skyrocketed, revenues from the state has continued to shrink. Right under Paul's nose. 

Consider Clear Creek ISD. In Fiscal Year 2016, CCISD received $129.3 million in state funding, while local taxpayers paid $280.6 million. By Fiscal Year 2018, state funding decreased to $106 million, while local taxpayers’ share ballooned to $323.7 million. The state’s share dropped 18 percent while the local share went up 15 percent in just three years.
A similar situation is occurring in Pasadena ISD. In 2016, PISD received $358.8 million in state funding, while local taxpayers paid $157 million. In 2017, state funding decreased to $347.4 million, while local taxpayers’ share increased to $168.8 million. The state’s share dropped 10 percent while the local share went up 8 percent in just one year.

Dennis Paul may be heartbroken but he isn't listening probably because he has never had a town hall meeting with his constituents. Much like every other republican.