Thomas Ratliff: A Documented Liar

Today's Austin American-Statesman has dueling Op-Eds on CSCOPE.  Peggy Venable of Americans for Prosperity has a fantastic piece outlining the problems of CSCOPE.  State Board of Education member Thomas Ratliff (R(ino) -- Microsoft) counters with a fraudulent and mendacious defense.

Ratliff asserts:

The allegations are also when extremists claim that CSCOPE is aligned with the Common Core curriculum promoted by the federal government. It’s simply not true. CSCOPE was developed by Texas educators for Texas educators to teach Texas standards to Texas kids. Period. Again, more fear-mongering.

Except for the fact that Linda Darling-Hammond helped design both:

CSCOPE documents also claim connection to Linda Hammond, a proponent of the nationalized Common Core movement that Texas has rejected in favor of its own standards.

 (Sidenote: Back in December, we broke a pretty big story on LDH's background).

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Ratliff also claims:

The allegations are also when extremists talk about parents being denied access to what their children are being taught. If that’s the case, schools are breaking the law and should be held accountable. Chapter 26 of the Texas Education Code provides for “Parental Rights and Responsibilities,” including the right to see what happens in their child’s classroom. The fact is many of these extremists are not parents of public school students. Don’t blame CSCOPE for following Texas law. In fact, CSCOPE lessons are now online for anyone to see. Yet the extremists still want it banned from the classrooms. Transparency obviously isn’t the issue. Censorship and winning a political battle is the issue.

 Cue Peggy Venable:

Last year, it took State Board of Education Chairman Barbara Cargill six months before she was finally granted access to the lesson plans. Parents were denied access to CSCOPE material in violation of state law, which requires lesson plans be available to them. [Emphasis Ours]

 In other words, Ratliff's co-board member experienced what Ratliff claims never happened.

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In another whopper, Ratliff alleges:

The allegations are when the extremists talk about the “Communist” “Marxist” “Socialist” “anti-American” “pro-Muslim” curriculum. First, they need to make up their mind if it’s Communist, Marxist or Socialist. In a state as “red” as Texas, do people really believe kids are being taught to hate America?...These allegations are simply fear-mongering designed to incite a mob.

 Funny, because you can see these lessons here, or here, or here, or here, or here.

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Thomas Ratliff is a smart guy.  He knows that what's he's saying isn't true, but he says it anyway.  That's why Thomas Ratliff is now a documented liar.

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Americans for Prosperity and Texas "Freedom" Network Clash over CSCOPE

The audio is a little difficult to pick up at first, but this video speaks for itself:



Highlights:

• When Dan Quinn says no one was pressured over CSCOPE, he's either lying or he's disqualifyingly misinformed.

• Ditto on Parents being informed.

(h/t Texas Watchdog)

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Americans for Prosperity pitches in for Oklahoma

Those dang evil Koch Brothers are at it again; from AFP's Oklahoma director:

The devastation in Oklahoma is tremendous.  Yesterday, a massive tornado hit the suburbs of Oklahoma City, destroying thousands of homes, a hospital and even two elementary schools.  The death toll stands at 24 souls and may yet rise, with so many in hospitals and others still unaccounted for.  Many of the victims were children, attending school yesterday.

As the state director of AFP-Oklahoma, I’m grateful that my family and all Oklahoma AFP staff are safe; but many of our friends and neighbors cannot say the same.  Our state chapter has at least a hundred residents living in the two worst affected cities, Moore and Newcastle.

To aid in disaster relief, I’ve asked AFP activists statewide to donate much needed items to the Salvation Army. The outpouring of support already given to our community is overwhelming.  If you would like to donate please consider giving directly tothe Salvation Army Disaster Relief here, by phone at (800)725-2769, or by text messaging “storm” to 80888 to donate $10 to relief and recovery efforts.

Keep Oklahoma in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days and weeks.  You can get real-time updates by following #PrayForOklahoma on Twitter.

I know the people of Moore and Newcastle and I know we will rebuild.  But today is very difficult for us all.

That is what America is all about, coming together to overcome, to help each other. The AFP family of activists has been through a lot and accomplished many things, and we’ll get through this together.

Thank you again for your prayers and concern.

Sincerely,

Matt Ball
AFP-Oklahoma State Director

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ACTION ALERT: YES ON SB 2!!!

After yet another abdication of responsibility by the Texas House over CSCOPE yesterday, conservatives justifiably feel like Charlie Brown with the football; nevertheless, a major school choice bill is scheduled to see the floor today.

From Americans for Prosperity -- Texas:

In Texas today, we have 315,000 students in over 500 failing schools.  Kids’ futures ride on one five-digit code which they have no control over:  their zip code.

Public schools assign kids to schools based on their zip codes.  We believe these students should have choices.  Charter schools provide choices.  Charter schools are public schools and have around 150,000 students enrolled.

Unfortunately, there are over 100,000 students on charter school waiting lists in Texas.  More would likely sign up but know that they have little chance of getting into a charter school.

....

Here are the highlights of SB 2:

• lifts the cap on charter schools
• the parent trigger provides an opportunity for schools to convert to home rule charter schools
• underutilized or unused schools would be available for charter schools; and
• limited funding would be provided to charter schools for facilities.

Read more: http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/newsroom/afp-testifies-on-sb-2-lifting-the-cap-on-charters/#ixzz2TTAoTa7X

 From the Texas Public Policy Foundation:

With more than 100,000 students currently waiting to attend public open-enrollment charter schools in Texas, the need to allow more of these schools to operate in Texas is obvious. By elevating the cap on open-enrollment charter schools from the current 215 to 305 in 2019, SB 2 creates opportunities for students to choose an education that best suits their needs, and empowers parents by making the Texas education system more competitive.

 You can contact your legislator here.

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Open Letter from Conservatives to the #TXLEGE

To triage this ongoing disaster of a legislative session, fourteen conservative groups have released the following open letter to individual members of the Texas Legislature:

May 10, 2013

Honorable Members of the Texas Legislature: 

The Lone Star State has become a model of economic growth through careful adherence to

thoughtful fiscal discipline.However, there are some trying to push the state in the directionof more government, more spending, and more taxes.

We strongly urge the Legislature not to deviate from what has been a highly successful path.

Put simply: the Legislature should neither exceed the state's spending limit—by any amount—nor should dollars be removed from the state's Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF) to pay for ongoing government expenses or new programs.

California stands as an example for us. In the 1980s, California's economy was thriving and tax receipts robust. Over the course of several decades, however, California lawmakers spent everything they had and ran up debt to boot. Today, the lusterless Golden State is no longer thought of as the nation’s economic powerhouse, and its finances are in notoriously poor shape.

Texas must avoid becoming like California.

Ensuring that Texas does not suffer this fate begins with prudent decision-making on the Economic Stabilization Fund. The ESF was established to address shortfalls in the budget arising from economic downturns. By allowing that fund to go untapped in recent years and maintaining a high level of liquidity, the state now enjoys the strongest possible bond rating— a tangible benefit to taxpayers.

Drawing out dollars for expenses that could (and should) otherwise be budgeted from General Revenues not only reduces liquidity and signals irresponsibility, but sets a dangerous precedent.

Similarly, in a time when revenues have increased more than 30 percent, lawmakers voting to exceed the state's spending limit put the Lone Star State on a collision course with future economic turbulence.

With the current administration in Washington doubling down on high taxes, increased debt, and downgraded credit ratings, it is more important than ever that Texas not downgrade itself.

Conservatives recognize that Texas has set a high standard and must continue to follow a

higher path. Legislators should reject calls to raid the ESF, and stand firm against “busting the

cap.”

Signatories:

60 Plus Association

ALEC

Americans for Prosperity—Texas

Americans for Tax Reform

Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

Grassroots America We the People

Institute for Policy Innovation

National Taxpayers Union

Texas Eagle Forum

Texans for Fiscal Responsibility

Texas Legislature’s TEA Party Caucus Advisory Committee

Texas Public Policy Action

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Young Conservatives of Texas

 Cahnman's Musings endorses this letter.

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ACTION ALERT: MAJOR CSCOPE Vote!!! (Yes on SB 1406)

One of the most important votes of the 83rd Texas Legislature will occur today when the Texas House votes on SB 1406.  If passed, this bill will take all things CSCOPE out of the hand of bureaucrats and place them under the supervision of Texas' elected State Board of Education.  This will begin to control CSCOPE.

From Concerned Women for America -- Texas:

Thank you for all your prayers, phone calls, and e-mails regarding SB 1406 "The CSCOPE bill". This has been the major bill we have been working on since day one of session, and we are getting excellent movement on this bill. SB 1406 will be heard tomorrow on the House floor. CWA of Texas will be there. If this bill passes as written, it is an exact match to the Senate version, and we believe it will head straight to the Governor's desk to be signed into law. CWA of Texas believes CSCOPE needs to have oversight by the State of Texas because it was paid for using federal, state, and local tax dollars. That is what makes CSCOPE different from any curriculum in this state. It was created with Texas tax dollars. If our House members do not support this bill, they are saying to Texans that it is OK for a non-transparent, unaccountable, un-elected bureaucrat to run amuck with millions of our tax dollars and the hearts and minds of our children with their slanted materials.

 From Americans for Prosperity -- Texas:

Chrmn Patrick and Sen. Donna Campbell sponsored SB 1406 which does the same.  A hearing was held April 2 and passed out of committee April 4^th with a vote of 7-0. The April 2^nd hearing can be viewed here: Senate Education (Part 1) and Senate Education (Part 2).
It is clear some Senators are not open to public review of CSCOPE and we encourage their constituents to be asking why.

We encourage citizens to take action, talk to your school board and see if your district uses CSCOPE and if it does, work to get it out of your District.  Call your legislators and ask them to support SB 1406 and HB 760.  Help educate more citizens on what is going on in our schools by joining AFP-Texas.

Read more: http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/legislativealerts/cscope-of-c-scam/#ixzz2TMyyAqcP

 While the General Session of the 83rd Texas Legislature has been a bust for conservatives, we can still get CSCOPE under control.  Let's salvage something.  Call your legislator NOW and urge them to vote YES on SB1406!!!

Find your legislator here.

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AFP-Texas: The Ugly Numbers on AISD debt and spending

Americans for Prosperity -- Texas breaks down the numbers on the AISD bond election:

Teachers comprise only 52% of the ISD staff

And only 49% of the ISD revenue is spent on instruction

And the Superintendent – as of TEA’s last listing – is making base salary of over $285,000

AISD debt is currently just over $1.1 billion

• Approximately $751 million in principal and
• $372 million in interest

AISD student enrollment has grown 8.9% at under 1% a year over the past 10 years according to TEA:

• In 2001, enrollment was 77,816;
• In 2011, enrollment was 85,273

Yet spending almost doubled – 71.12% increaseFrom $547 million to $936 million
And the ISD fund balance grew an astounding 117.647% in 10 years.

• $68 million in 2001 to $148 million in 2001-10

The bond package proposed would more than double AISD debt.
Let’s remember the current principal is $750.5 million; This bond package is for over $892 million.

Read more: http://americansforprosperity.org/texas/legislativealerts/aisd-bond-election-loving-our-kids-to-debt/#ixzz2SZ8bxieq

 This is lot of debt to burden ourselves and our children with over the next thirty years.  A low turnout May election that maximizes the special interest vote is not an appropriate forum.  Let's slow this process down;  Vote AGAINST AISD Bonds 1 - 4.

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Disabled Texans Deserve School Choice

Couldn't have said it better myself:

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Governor Rick Perry on Limiting Spending, School Choice, and Medicaid

Governor Rick Perry spoke to Texas Bloggers tonight thanks to Americans for Prosperity -- Texas.  The Governor had about ten minutes of opening remarks then took questions for 25 minutes.  The following are from my notes:

• Conservative fiscal policies have "consistently paid dividends" through good times and bad.

• While the Legislature is in town: "everyone wants a piece of the money."

• The basics: Keep spending and taxes low, predictable regulatory climate, fair court system.

• Not only should Texas hold the line on taxes, we should lower the tax burden.

• Texas has the third highest High School graduation rates in the U.S. today.

• Different children learn with different goals in mind.

• Allow education dollars to follow the Child.

• I "really support" Dan Patrick on School Choice.

• Medicaid:
• We could have a healthier population for less money but Washington refuses to allow us to spend our own money how we see fit.
• Washington is going to run out of money in 3-4 years, at which point the states will be on the hook for the full cost; that's when they're going to start pushing single-payer.

• Texas Budget Compact:
• We began the process early so the idea could be distilled properly.
• The Legislature "will vote on this."
• Straus will "allow the will of the House to prevail."

• Other than that, the Governor also discussed various ideas for tax relief; while the Governor hasn't committed to any particular idea, he did promote this website for any Texans who want to make suggestions as to what form tax relief should take.

Update: Pondering Penguin has more here.

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Dallas Morning News: University Administrators raise tuition and (their own) pay

The Dallas Morning News has a not surprising examination of administrator salaries in the University of Texas system:

Some top Texas university and college administrators have received double-digit raises in the past year, even as the state has struggled with deep cuts to higher education programs and exploding tuition costs for students.

Administrators did best:

Statewide, top university administrators received a 4.2 percent increase in salary from fiscal 2011 to 2013, a time of deep budget cuts in many state programs, including student financial aid. The raises totaled about $3 million.

University system administrators received a 9 percent increase in the same period, close a $1 million total.

Teachers, meanwhile, didn't do nearly as well:

Professors largely didn’t enjoy the same types of boosts. Statewide, full-time professors received a 0.7 percent increase in salary from fiscal 2011 to 2012, the difference of about $765.

 'Coincidentally':

Over roughly the same period, statewide tuition increased about 9 percent as well.

 Read the whole thing here.

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URGENT: Oppose Texas Medicaid Expansion

Americans for Prosperity -- Texas has an urgent action alert to stiffen the spines of Texas Legislators in opposing the fiscally suicidal Medicaid expansion in Obamacare:

Texas joined 25 other states in challenging the federal government arguing that the expansion of Medicaid in the President’s health care law was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court agreed calling the expansion a “gun to the head.” Now, supporters of the law are urging Texas to reverse its position and expand the broken, costly Medicaid system.

Read more: http://www.kintera.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=9hJILXMCKbKYE&b=6611291&aid=519352#ixzz2LvP5InWI

 Many legislators are cowards, even in Texas (especially the House); make sure to make your voice heard on this URGENT fiscal priority.

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Americans for Prosperity: Texans Speak out for School Choice

This video from Americans for Prosperity - Texas is the first of five:

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Big Ticket Items for the 83rd Texas Legislature

With the 83rd Texas Legislature one-third over, and conservatives off to a bad start, it's time to re-group and prioritize.  To protect and strengthen Texas' economy, we need to alter the trajectory of state spending.  The following five items will maintain Texas as place where entrepreneurs can risk their capital and achieve a decent rate of return.

1. Texas Budget Compact -- Cahnman's Musings was an early supporter of the Texas Budget Compact.  It remains our top priority, though we remain frustrated with Governor Perry's timidity.  Limiting government spending is the foundation of prosperity.
   
   
2. School Choice -- In order to limit state spending, you have to get education under control.  K-12 Education remains 40% of state spending.  For that money, K-12 education remains an array of boondoggles and bureaucracy.  The CSCOPE scandal re-enforces what we already knew about public education.  In order to keep state spending under control (and pre-empt the next CSCOPE), you need to take education dollars out of the hands of bureaucrats and put it into the hands of parents.
   
3. Medicaid -- Medicaid has been the fastest growing component of state spending for two decades.  In 2001, Medicaid was 14% of the budget; today it's 25%.  If the Obamacare Medicaid expansion goes through, that will rise to 33%.  Medicaid is a broken program that hurts the poor.  We can't keep pouring money we don't have into a program that doesn't work.
   
4. Pensions/Transparency -- Local government debt in Texas is $324 billion.  Pension obligations are a big chunk of that debt.  The interrelated issues of local debt and pension obligations are a time bomb the legislature should defuse before it becomes a crisis.
   
5. Repeal the Margins Tax -- This atrociously designed tax is unworthy of a state like Texas; end it, don't mend it.

In business, the Pareto principle states that you get 80% of your results from 20% of your activity; this list is that 20%.

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