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by chassan from Houston

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DRINK BEER, EDUCATE TEXAS KIDS
Jul 21, 2008 | 9:34 PM
Category: News
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DRINK BEER AND HELP EDUCATE TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS

What do these two companies have in common with Texas public school kids? Ashai Breweries, the second largest beer brewery in Japan; and Anheuser-Busch Companies, the largest brewing company in the United States.
 
The $25.3 billion Texas Permanent School Fund, which provides money for the state's public schools, owns over $29 million in stock and securities in the two beer giants.
 
So the more beer Americans and Japanese drink the more money the Permanent Trust Fund will make for the state's public school districts.


 
And booze is not the only money maker for the state.
 
The Fund also has nearly $7.4 million in stocks in Japan Tobacco, which controls more than 70% of the cigarette market in Japan. Japan Tobacco is the world's number three tobacco firm, selling Camel, Salem, and Winston brands outside the U.S.
 
What do yout think? Should the Texas School Permanent Fund be making money off beer and cigarettes to fund public schools?
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Member Comments Total Comments: 4
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mik1of3 read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 9:40 AM

Public schools are now a 'for profit' venue hiding behind (and maintaining) their 'non' profit stance by claiming all money is 'for the kids'.
While the school board, administration, etc pocket big fat bonuses, paychecks, drive around in district cars, use district credit cards, and expense accounts.
I would LOVE to see a massive audit to be performed on ALL school districts, and for the results of said audit to be made public. I bet people would be sickened at how much money goes to administration benefits and sporting associations, while math, science, language, and arts struggle with budget cuts...and TEACHERS, especially, try to work with what little they are given..in both pay and district support.
I had considered, when my bosses retire (as they will eventually) going back to school and getting a teaching certificate for reading or english.
PBMom read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 5:39 PM

Mik1of3: Join us at
http://texasschoolwatch101.virtualnsn.com/modules/wfcha
nnel/

New group which just launched it's site this week is about to do just that. We need people like you to help us. You have a great passion. We could use that.
kagua2 read my blog
Jul 22, 2008 | 7:05 PM

I was going to suggest that mik read your blog, Mom. Something needs to be done.
chassan read my blog view my photos
Jul 22, 2008 | 8:53 PM

Mlk1of3,

What if state law were changed to require zero-based budgeting for school districts, a system under which a district's various divisions would have re-justify each dollar that it's requesting from zero on up. Under the current system, each division's starting point for a new budget is last year's budget, plus an additional amount.

Zero-based budgeting would put everything under the microscope with no sacred cows.

PBMOM,
People such as yourself should ask to participate in all meetings at which budgets are being planned for a school district. Some districts would welcome the participation, while others would shut the door, a message to go away.
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chassan

I love reading books, seeing movies, staying up with current events, running and watching what I eat most of the time--got to stay healthy. I blog here in my spare time, mostly late at night and in the early morning hours.

Member Since: 3/24/2007


 

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