OT: What did Dan Patrick do to the teachers?

[ekal48]

Income taxes punish work. We need to encourage saving not working less. Currently 40% of the US population has less than $400. Sales taxes are better, coupled with usury laws concerning credit cards and debt in general... Smarter consumption, less slavery, and more saving. Oh and by the way, teachers should fund their own pensions just like the private sector.... the way we get shortfalls is by promising what is not attainable through defined benefit pensions. As it stands, we have pensions managers losing money while the benefits compound at 7% a year. The tax payer is going to get the bill for this.

Sales tax hit the poor a lot harder than the rich. If you have to spend 100% of your income to live then 100% of your income is taxed. The wealthy spend a smaller portion of their income to live so not all of their income would be taxed. I agree on not taxing interest on savings, or putting age limits on IRA donations, lot of ways to encourage savings. That would help a lot of things.

Most wealthy people I know don't have a problem paying a higher tax rate as long is it is fair and reasonable. I would rather see lower capital gains for people that invest their money, don't tax money twice.

Everyone I know is for lower taxes, but no one wants their services cut. Cut services that don't affect me, cut services that effect someone else.
Getting rid of Govt., or Govt. services is not the answer, less but smarter more efficient Govt. is the answer. That's not happening with the collection of clowns that we have elected.

Ultimately it is the electorate that is at fault. We elect the people that once they get elected their job is to get re-elected, not serve the people. We, the electorate, really need to step up our game and understand the issues, not let Fox News or CNN define them for us. The more I dig into the issues the more I see that what we get on the news, both liberal and conservative, don't come close to what is going on. We are watching a dog and pony show on the news.

There is a lot bigger force called money that runs the dog and pony show.

 

[TX1972]

Hmmm... which have the highest real estate values to collect the most property taxes to pay for schools?

We've increased K12 education funding maybe 300%(after inflation). Money is not the problem. Only competition can do it. No rules, publish the test results. Let the best school win.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Sales tax hit the poor a lot harder than the rich. If you have to spend 100% of your income to live then 100% of your income is taxed. The wealthy spend a smaller portion of their income to live so not all of their income would be taxed. I agree on not taxing interest on savings, or putting age limits on IRA donations, lot of ways to encourage savings. That would help a lot of things.

Most wealthy people I know don't have a problem paying a higher tax rate as long is it is fair and reasonable. I would rather see lower capital gains for people that invest their money, don't tax money twice.

Everyone I know is for lower taxes, but no one wants their services cut. Cut services that don't affect me, cut services that effect someone else.
Getting rid of Govt., or Govt. services is not the answer, less but smarter more efficient Govt. is the answer. That's not happening with the collection of clowns that we have elected.

Ultimately it is the electorate that is at fault. We elect the people that once they get elected their job is to get re-elected, not serve the people. We, the electorate, really need to step up our game and understand the issues, not let Fox News or CNN define them for us. The more I dig into the issues the more I see that what we get on the news, both liberal and conservative, don't come close to what is going on. We are watching a dog and pony show on the news.

There is a lot bigger force called money that runs the dog and pony show.

The poor pay no taxes at the moment except for sales taxes. Actually when they get their EIT with handouts, etc.... they essentially pay no taxes. It's time to have some "skin in the game".

 

[ekal48]

I'm poor and I pay taxes.

 

[2300 Nueces]

I'm poor and I pay taxes.

Please explain.

 

[TX1972]

Sales tax hit the poor a lot harder than the rich. If you have to spend 100% of your income to live then 100% of your income is taxed. The wealthy spend a smaller portion of their income to live so not all of their income would be taxed. I agree on not taxing interest on savings, or putting age limits on IRA donations, lot of ways to encourage savings. That would help a lot of things.

Most wealthy people I know don't have a problem paying a higher tax rate as long is it is fair and reasonable. I would rather see lower capital gains for people that invest their money, don't tax money twice.

Everyone I know is for lower taxes, but no one wants their services cut. Cut services that don't affect me, cut services that effect someone else.
Getting rid of Govt., or Govt. services is not the answer, less but smarter more efficient Govt. is the answer. That's not happening with the collection of clowns that we have elected.

Ultimately it is the electorate that is at fault. We elect the people that once they get elected their job is to get re-elected, not serve the people. We, the electorate, really need to step up our game and understand the issues, not let Fox News or CNN define them for us. The more I dig into the issues the more I see that what we get on the news, both liberal and conservative, don't come close to what is going on. We are watching a dog and pony show on the news.

There is a lot bigger force called money that runs the dog and pony show.

I'm all for cutting government spending. Quit doing things like marijuana prohibition, public schools, speed limits on highways. Farm subsidies, fuel ethanol badly need to go.

 

[ekal48]

The last Republican or Democrat I voted for was Richard Nixon. I usually vote for the Libertarian although I did vote for Ross Perot. I don't really buy all of the Libertarian platform, but see it as a protest vote against the 2 parties that are hired to run the the dog and pony show.

They are for legalizing drugs and no income tax, so not all bad.

 

[ekal48]

Back to schools, I really don't know what the answer is, but we really need to catch up with the rest of the world fast.

When we need to import as much talent as we do to supply the tech companies I think there has got to be something wrong with what we are doing in schools, from Kindergarten through College. But I bet the answer is doing education smarter, not more money.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Speedstrength did an excellent job of addressing the schools. Teachers cannot undo what parents don't do.

 

[ekal48]

Please explain.

Define poor.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Define poor.

Yes sir, that's the rub. Many in America who claim to be poor are not. It's an excuse. There is also a huge issue of usury in our country which fosters the "keeping up with the Joneses" while robbing people of their labor. I wish I could do something about it from here but I can't. One day when my kids have finished college, I am going to volunteer helping people understand personal discipline which includes finances.

 

[ekal48]

Yes sir, that's the rub. Many in America who claim to be poor are not. It's an excuse. There is also a huge issue of usury in our country which fosters the "keeping up with the Joneses" while robbing people of their labor. I wish I could do something about it from here but I can't. One day when my kids have finished college, I am going to volunteer helping people understand personal discipline which includes finances.

You get it.

There are some people in our country that do need help. The people that abuse and leach off the system are taking from the few that truly can't help themselves.

That's a good goal to help people understand basic finance. If more young people truly understood how powerful compound interest is they would all be comfortable in their old age.

Somebody help me out here, was it Einstein that said compound interest was the most powerful thing in the universe?

 

[speedstrength]

Why does education cost more than it use to. Well it really doesn't cost more. Per pupil spending is down since 2008. The legislature never fully restored funding after the crash. If you want to go back to the 70s or 80s you have to consider a few things. If you strip out inflation you can trace it to two main culprits. The first is technology. Computers, servers, internet connectivity, and support staff aren't cheap.

The second is federal and state regulations. Our contract for STAAR testing runs almost 100 million per year. Then you have curriculum specialist whose sole job making sure teachers are adequately teaching items covered by the test. Then there are consultants, curriculum development or buying curriculum. There are programs that track test scores and predict how students will perform on upcoming test based on previous state and district level assessments. There are whole central office departments dedicated to testing from the assistant superintendent level on down to support staff. All of this cost money.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Why does education cost more than it use to. Well it really doesn't cost more. Per pupil spending is down since 2008. The legislature never fully restored funding after the crash. If you want to go back to the 70s or 80s you have to consider a few things. If you strip out inflation you can trace it to two main culprits. The first is technology. Computers, servers, internet connectivity, and support staff aren't cheap.

The second is federal and state regulations. Our contract for STAAR testing runs almost 100 million per year. Then you have curriculum specialist whose sole job making sure teachers are adequately teaching items covered by the test. Then there are consultants, curriculum development or buying curriculum. There are programs that track test scores and predict how students will perform on upcoming test based on previous state and district level assessments. There are whole central office departments dedicated to testing from the assistant superintendent level on down to support staff. All of this cost money.

That's inside baseball. Great insight. 2008 changed a lot of things but "teaching to the test" now brings a whole new meaning, ridiculous.

 

[2300 Nueces]

You get it.

There are some people in our country that do need help. The people that abuse and leach off the system are taking from the few that truly can't help themselves.

That's a good goal to help people understand basic finance. If more young people truly understood how powerful compound interest is they would all be comfortable in their old age.

Somebody help me out here, was it Einstein that said compound interest was the most powerful thing in the universe?

Ya, it was me. Einstein said compound interest was the seventh or eighth wonder of the world. The interest required to pay savers for their deposits is basically what is pulled from the laboring class to appease savers. It's a vicious cycle.

 

[speedstrength]

That's inside baseball. Great insight. 2008 changed a lot of things but "teaching to the test" now brings a whole new meaning, ridiculous.

For those of you with kids in grades that are tested check the homework. In April we started getting a STAAR review packet for homework every day. I emailed the teacher and said we aren't doing that and they stopped coming home. I maid my son read actual books for 30 minutes and then do math problems for 30 minutes after school. Way better than those stupid worksheets.

 

[clob94]

I hope you "maid" your son do some speeling exorsizes two. )

For those of you with kids in grades that are tested check the homework. In April we started getting a STAAR review packet for homework every day. I emailed the teacher and said we aren't doing that and they stopped coming home. I maid my son read actual books for 30 minutes and then do math problems for 30 minutes after school. Way better than those stupid worksheets.

 

[Oldmanastro]

Some of you may have heard something called Kumon? Mine have been going for 8yrs now both starting at age 5. They are both leaps and bounds ahead, talking 2yrs ahead of their classmates who don’t do it. It’s not for everyone, as it takes dedication from both the kids and parents, but it just becomes part of routine.
STAAR text? Pffft.

Not saying Kumon is the cure all, but it has made a difference. At least for my kids in 8th and 4th grade.

 

[mm42]

Teachers don't get social security. We pay into TRS just like most of you pay into social security. If we get that taken away from us we have no social security because we didn't pay into it. Reiterated teachers make a percentage of the average of their last 3 years. It's usually in the range of 35-50 k

My father in-law is a superintendent in a fairly small district. He has nearly 40 years in education. He is going to get nearly 100% of his current pay at retirement, he had a prinicipal buddy retire a few years ago that will get over 100% of his final pay annually until he dies. His buddy had a ton of years in, but still a great deal.

I would get around $2,600 a month if I retired at 65 from social security. Whereas my father-in law will get over $10K per month. Our income is in the same ballpark, before you pull out the $18K a year I have to pull out to fund my own 401K.

So comparing teachers retirement to social security is apples to oranges.

And we have stopped speaking about public education, as it gets pretty heated. He is a great guy and I am glad he is taken care of, but damn.

 

[oldschoolcat]

mm42, I have had the same conversation with relatives who work for cities and counties. The math doesn't work, but they will swear until they are red eyed and fighting that "they put into the system" and it is what they "deserve".

It's a Ponzi Scheme....and everybody knows it. And you and I are paying for it.

 

[speedstrength]

People who put in 40+ years in public education are out there but they are rare. At that point he is making about 90% of the average of his last 5 years of salary. Here is why the system is solvent. 50% of all teachers don't make it to 5 years. 2/3rds of the profession doesn't retire as teachers. They leave because of low pay or frustration or something else. It takes 5 years to be fully vested. I had 6 years. My last 5 years average to a little over 38000. At 65 I can get 10.6% of that salary average or about 335 a month. Its been in there since 2006. Not sure if I would do better pulling it out and putting it in a 401k or keeping it in. I just decided to keep it in.

My dad had 34 years in and retired at 63. When he retired it was last 3 years average. He didn't coach his last 10 years and went down to teaching elementary when he retired his last 3 years average was a little over 55k. He gets 78% of that so about 3500 a month which is more typical of people who retire as teachers.

 

[oldschoolcat]

People who put in 40+ years in public education are out there but they are rare. At that point he is making about 90% of the average of his last 5 years of salary. Here is why the system is solvent. 50% of all teachers don't make it to 5 years. 2/3rds of the profession doesn't retire as teachers. They leave because of low pay or frustration or something else. It takes 5 years to be fully vested. I had 6 years. My last 5 years average to a little over 38000. At 65 I can get 10.6% of that salary average or about 335 a month. Its been in there since 2006. Not sure if I would do better pulling it out and putting it in a 401k or keeping it in. I just decided to keep it in.

My dad had 34 years in and retired at 63. When he retired it was last 3 years average. He didn't coach his last 10 years and went down to teaching elementary when he retired his last 3 years average was a little over 55k. He gets 78% of that so about 3500 a month which is more typical of people who retire as teachers.

How much is taken from each paycheck? Approximate percentage or so....

 

[clob94]

How much is taken from each paycheck? Approximate percentage or so....

For TRS retirement? Used to be 6.4%.

 

[mm42]

For TRS retirement? Used to be 6.4%.

I think social security is 6.2% plus another 6.2% from employer on the first $118,500. TRS must have the world's greatest financial planners.

 

[speedstrength]

I think social security is 6.2% plus another 6.2% from employer on the first $118,500. TRS must have the world's greatest financial planners.

Teachers put in 7.7%, State puts in 6.8%

 

[oldschoolcat]

So it's basically a taxpayer funded employer match? Is there any easy reading on what Patrick's plan is?

 

[clob94]

So it's basically a taxpayer funded employer match? Is there any easy reading on what Patrick's plan is?

Google it. There's tons.

 

[oldschoolcat]

Google it. There's tons.

I have a few times and find a lot of conflicting information. Apparently proposing pay raises makes you the Anti-Christ?

 

[speedstrength]

Most districts pay above state base so Patrick's proposed pay raise wouldn't really do munch of anything. Last time I looked there was only 1 district that paid state base. Its a distraction for the real problem.

Texas is a low tax low service state yet republicans run on cutting taxes. In order to get the budget to balance they force cities, counties, and school districts to raise taxes in order to cover cost. The biggest problem for education in Texas is lack of funding and the school finance mechanisms. The legislature needs to restore education funding to pre 2008 levels and fix how schools are funded because Robin Hood isn't cutting it.

 

[2300 Nueces]

Most districts pay above state base so Patrick's proposed pay raise wouldn't really do munch of anything. Last time I looked there was only 1 district that paid state base. Its a distraction for the real problem.

Texas is a low tax low service state yet republicans run on cutting taxes. In order to get the budget to balance they force cities, counties, and school districts to raise taxes in order to cover cost. The biggest problem for education in Texas is lack of funding and the school finance mechanisms. The legislature needs to restore education funding to pre 2008 levels and fix how schools are funded because Robin Hood isn't cutting it.

Fifty two percent of Texas state tax rev goes to education funding. That is too high. Medicaid is increasing quickly and will begin crowding everything else out soon enough. In my opinion, individuals don't do enough on their own to contribute to his/her own education. How did America do so well a century ago with much less than we have now? I have my own opinions but schools are not underfunded. I hear the waste is astronomical. This comes from vendors who sell to schools.