Choices already clear for funding schools

Editorial: Choices already clear for funding schools
Web Posted: 09/23/2005 12:00 AM CDT
San Antonio Express-News

When in doubt, appoint a committee.

And given the failure of the Legislature to deal with the school finance issue, we can't offer a much better suggestion.

The twist to this committee is that Gov. Rick Perry has appointed John Sharp, his rival for lieutenant governor in a hotly contested 1998 race, to lead the effort.

In appointing Sharp, Perry called for "a new approach that puts partisanship aside to do what's best for Texas."

While we applaud that strategy, the statement shouldn't be necessary. That's the way business should be conducted. Voters are sickened by the petty partisanship that overshadows the work of the Legislature, as well as Congress.

Nasty partisanship is relatively new to Texas politics. One of George W. Bush's strengths as governor was his ability to work with Democrats.

If Perry's pronouncement signals a return to a more collegial approach, we welcome it.

At the same time, we question whether a new committee will come up with any innovative ways of raising revenues while lowering property taxes. Perry and Sharp already have taken a state income tax off the table.

The hope, presumably, is that the committee will help build a constituency for some particular solution.

Sharp has been one of the more creative, innovative and competent state officeholders during recent times, so his return to the public scene is welcome.

Sharp's committee colleagues have yet to be named. Let us hope that when they are, this committee will move deliberately and swiftly to recommend changes.

The system is broken, whatever the Texas Supreme Court may decide this fall. The Legislature, not the courts, should fix the problem — even if another committee is required to help legislators do that.

Online at: http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/stories/MYSA092305.01O.Perry.1bfd6b05.html