TEF OPPOSES Proposition #15 on November 6 Ballot

The legislature failed to add language to Proposition 15 that would protect Texas taxpayers from funding embryonic stem cell research. Scientists are on the verge of cloning humans, which means that embryonic stem cell research would entail cloning humans, injecting them with diseases and studying them, then killing them. A New Jersey law allows researchers to study clones until they are fully mature before killing them. A California law would kill them sooner. TEF has tried, but failed, during the last two legislative sessions to pass a bill that would prohibit human cloning. And another law to prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding the gruesome research.

With a budget surplus of about $9 billion, legislators could have saved taxpayers finance and interest fees of about $1.6 billion if they had dedicated funds from the general budget, rather than through bonds.

For both economic and moral reasons, TEF encourages you to vote NO on Proposition #15.

PERRY BACKS GIULIANI DESPITE DIFFERENCES

Republican presidential contender Rudy Giuliani won the endorsement of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, despite their differences on abortion rights. Perry said that his biggest concern had been Giuliani's support for abortion rights but that he was satisfied the former New York mayor would appoint judges who view the issue conservatively.

''The one (issue) that I wanted to hear him give me an answer and look me right in my eyes was that issue of who can I expect, what type of individual can I expect on the Supreme Court,'' Perry said at a news conference with Giuliani. ''He clearly said ... you can look for people like Scalia and Roberts and Alito. Let me tell you, I can live with that,'' Perry said, referring to conservative Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Samuel Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts. Perry said when he buys a pickup truck, he doesn't rule any out simply because they have an option he doesn't like. He said the war on terrorism is the campaign's overriding issue and Giuliani is best equipped to lead a country at war. Source: AP, 10/18/07

Note from Cathie: Please continue to study each of the presidential candidates. Do NOT think that you must decide BEFORE you have a clear understanding of their positions on issues that matter most to you. Guiliani's position on LIFE is like saying that he supports slavery, but would appoint judges to throw it to the states. That's out of character for our GOP that was founded upon the principle that all men have a right to life and liberty.

HUTCHISON WON’T RUN FOR RE-ELECTION

Republican Kay Bailey Hutchison said she will not seek re-election after her current Senate term ends and is weighing other options, which could include a bid for Texas governor. ''I was honest in the (2006) campaign that it was my intention to not go beyond this last term, third term,'' said Hutchison of Texas. ''I know every other option is certainly available, but I don't intend to run for a fourth term.'' She said running for Texas governor in 2010 is one option but she has not made a decision.

Source: AP, 10/17/07

SCOTT NAMED NEW COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION

Gov. Rick Perry named Robert Scott as Texas Commissioner of Education. Scott, who has served as interim Education Commissioner since June 2007, has been an integral part of raising the bar for scholastic achievement and success in Texas for more than 15 years.

“Robert Scott is the right choice to lead Texas’ education system toward continued success and new benchmark achievements,” said Perry.” Scott served four years as Chief Deputy Commissioner of Education, managing daily operations for the Texas Education Agency (TEA). By overseeing development of new assessment and accountability systems, Scott championed efforts to raise standards and promote rewards for effective teachers. During that time he also established initiatives to strengthen early childhood and high school education.

Source: TexasInsider.org 10/17/07

Texas’ TAKS Tests Relatively Easy, National Study Says

Texas' standardized tests are not as difficult to pass as assessments in other states, according to a national study. The study, conducted by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, found that Texas students in third through seventh grades are passing the reading and math portions of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills with lower scores than children in other states. Simply put: it's easier to pass in Texas than it is in other states.

To determine test difficulty levels, researchers analyzed scores of about 830,000 students who took both the state assessments and a national test used as a benchmark. Nationally, the study found that the difficulty level to pass tests required under the federal law differ greatly. Standards vary so wildly it has rendered the term "proficient" to be of little value to students, parents or teachers, the study's authors said.

Texas educators defended the state's scoring benchmarks and noted that Texas students have scored competitively with the national average on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Source: AP, 10/08/07